Ryan Burl
Ryan Burl Is A Versatile Batsman From Zimbabwe
Ryan Burl was born on April 15, 1994, in Marondera, a modest town in Zimbabwe. His formative years were spent at Peterhouse, an elite boys’ school known for its strong sporting culture and strict discipline. During this time, Burl did not immediately specialize in cricket. Instead, he explored a variety of sports, including hockey, track and field, and squash. This multi-sport background helped him develop athletic balance, stamina, and adaptability. Eventually, he chose cricket as his primary focus, a decision that would define his professional future.
Ryan Burl: Professional Cricket Journey
Burl’s talent became evident at a young age. He represented Zimbabwe at two ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cups, in 2012 and 2014, where he gained valuable international exposure. After completing school, he briefly pursued higher education at the University of Southampton. However, he soon decided to step away from academics and potential county cricket prospects in England in order to fully commit to representing Zimbabwe at the highest level.
His dedication paid off in 2017, when he received his first senior national call-up for a One Day International series against Afghanistan. Later that same year, he was selected for Zimbabwe’s Test squad to face South Africa. Despite this rapid progression, establishing himself consistently in the national side proved difficult. The demands of Test cricket, combined with persistent administrative and financial instability within Zimbabwe Cricket, created additional obstacles in his early senior career.
A turning point came in early 2018, when Ryan Burl was given extended opportunities in Twenty20 internationals. Making his T20I debut against Afghanistan, he impressed with his fearless stroke play, quick scoring ability, and composure under pressure. The following year, during a tour of Bangladesh, he produced a memorable performance by smashing a record number of runs in a single over against the hosts, further enhancing his reputation as an explosive all-rounder.

A turning point came in early 2018, when Ryan Burl was given extended opportunities in Twenty20 internationals. Making his T20I debut against Afghanistan, he impressed with his fearless stroke play, quick scoring ability, and composure under pressure. The following year, during a tour of Bangladesh, he produced a memorable performance by smashing a record number of runs in a single over against the hosts, further enhancing his reputation as an explosive all-rounder.
His success was not limited to international cricket. During the 2017-2018 domestic season, Burl played for the Rising Stars in the Logan Cup and delivered outstanding results, accumulating 401 runs in just five matches to finish as the competition’s top scorer. These performances attracted attention beyond Zimbabwe, opening doors to franchise cricket opportunities overseas. In late 2019, he signed with the Chattogram Challengers in Bangladesh.
Over the years, Ryan Burl has represented several domestic and franchise teams, including Mashonaland Eagles, Mis Ainak Knights, Chattogram Challengers, Sylhet Strikers, and Durbar Rajshahi. Currently, he continues to play for Mashonaland Eagles, the team where his professional career began, while also remaining part of the Afghan franchise Mis Ainak Knights. In January 2026, Zimbabwe Cricket officially named him in the national squad for the T20 World Cup, recognizing him as one of the side’s key all-round contributors.

Ryan Burl: Off the Field
Beyond cricket, Burl is known for his involvement in social and developmental initiatives. In June 2021, he became part of the Grassroots Cricket project, which focuses on promoting the sport among young people across Africa and rebuilding cricket’s foundation in Zimbabwe. His role extends beyond participation; he actively advocates for better conditions and opportunities for players.
That same year, Burl drew international attention after publicly highlighting the financial hardships faced by Zimbabwean cricketers, including inadequate equipment and limited institutional support. His honest remarks sparked widespread discussion and eventually led to a sponsorship agreement with global sports brand Puma.
- Some additional personal details about Ryan Burl include:
- He is married to his long-time partner, Sarah;
- He is an avid tennis enthusiast and admires players such as Pete Sampras, Rafael Nadal, Dominic Thiem and Stan Wawrinka;
- His cricketing approach is notably aggressive, which sets him apart from many traditional batting all-rounders;
- He is a practicing Christian.
Ryan Burl maintains an active presence on social media platforms, where he regularly shares insights into his professional life, national team experiences, and global cricket events, keeping fans closely connected to his journey.
| Format | Matches | Runs | Bat Avg | Top Score | Balls bowled | Wickets | Bowl Avg | Best Bowl | Catches |
| Test | 3 | 24 | 4.80 | 16 | 228 | 4 | 26.75 | 2/16 | 1 |
| ODI | 52 | 938 | 24.68 | 83 | 730 | 19 | 40.31 | 5/10 | 23 |
| T20I | 112 | 1 885 | 26.18 | 67 | 1 136 | 60 | 22.75 | 3/13 | 53 |
| T20s | 187 | 3 628 | 31.00 | 77 | 2 769 | 97 | 29.60 | 6/30 | 97 |
| List A | 113 | 2 444 | 28.09 | 105 | 3 206 | 56 | 36.00 | – | 56 |
| FC | 33 | 1 784 | 35.68 | 151 | 2 145 | 51 | 23.90 | 4/34 | 29 |