It wasn’t easy at all: a number of deserving players miss out, with extremely tough competition over certain spots. The high quality of top-order batters, specifically the openers, made it difficult to balance the team out. And, as high as the temptation was to play designated openers down the order to complete this XI, we also kept batting roles and positions in mind.

At the end of it, here’s the XI we went with:

Brandon King – Jamaica Tallawahs

13 matches, 422 runs @ 38.36, SR: 135.25, HS: 104

The leading run-getter in the competition, and the Player of the Tournament, King played a big role in Jamaica Tallawahs’ race to the title, including in the final, where his 50-ball 83 helped chase down 163 against Barbados Royals. In a season that ticked almost every box, he scored a century as well, albeit in a losing cause against the Patriots. No one hit more fours (45) than him this tournament.

Johnson Charles (wicketkeeper) – St Lucia Kings

9 matches, 345 runs @ 43.12, SR: 133.20, HS: 87*

One of the most consistent batters this season, Charles formed a formidable stand with Faf du Plessis for the Kings, scoring four fifties in all, the most by anyone this season. Recently named in West Indies’ T20 World Cup squad, Charles ended third on the run charts, averaging in the forties.

Faf du Plessis – St Lucia Kings

10 matches, 332 runs @ 41.50, SR: 168.52, HS: 103

The other half of Kings’ powerful opening pair, du Plessis showed, yet again, that he’s still the enterprising T20 batter that he’s been for so long. A century against the Warriors – his fourth in T20s – was in vain, but he kept the runs flowing throughout the season, striking at a remarkable 168.52. No batter hit more sixes this year.

David Miller – Barbados Royals

8 matches, 170 runs @ 56.66, SR: 155.96, HS: 60

In a tournament dominated by top-order batters, Miller, du Plessis’ long-time South Africa teammate, stood out with his late cameos, ending the season averaging in the high fifties. Skipper of the Royals, finalists this year, Miller’s returns tailed off a touch towards the end, but the first half of the competition saw him regularly bring out the big strokes, including a 36-ball 60* against the Riders.

Rovman Powell – Jamaica Tallawahs (c)

13 matches, 281 runs @ 35.12, SR: 123.78, HS: 67

Powell is fast turning into one of the most watchable power-hitters around, and the same was evident through the season for the Tallawahs. Apart from leading Tallawahs to the title, Powell was a vital force in the middle order, scoring a couple of fifties early on to set the tone, before contributing with brisk cameos later on. Only three other players hit more sixes.

Imad Wasim – Jamaica Tallawahs

13 matches, 17 wickets @ 16.00, ER: 5.97, BBI: 3-14

Many still wonder why Imad is not in Pakistan’s T20 plans, especially after the kind of season he had with the Tallawahs. No spinner took more wickets this season; Imad’s economy rate was the best among anyone with 10-plus wickets in 2022. There were bits of brilliance with the bat as well, including a vital 15-ball 41 against Warriors in Qualifier 2.

Jason Holder – Barbados Royals

12 matches, 17 wickets @ 14.94, ER: 6.86, BBI: 3-33

Still the man to look towards in crisis, Holder ended with the second-most wickets this season, the average better than anyone with ten or more wickets. The batting was solid without being spectacular: in tough conditions in Tarouba against the Warriors, he scored a 33-ball 40* when none of his teammates managed to get over 20.

David Wiese – St Lucia Kings

10 matches, 12 wickets @ 16.33, ER: 6.75, BBI: 3-8

He might be 37, but there’s been no dip in Wiese’s all-round abilities. The numbers continue to be impressive – he picked up as many as three three-wicket hauls, including a fantastic spell of 4-1-8-3 against the Patriots. Down the order, he was just as good as ever, striking at 150.

Sunil Narine – Trinbago Knight Riders

10 matches, 11 wickets @ 15.72, ER: 4.80, BBI: 2-9

Even after all these years, Narine continues to be a pain for T20 batters. The only bowler (with at least five wickets) with an economy rate below 5.00, Narine chipped away with wickets for the Riders through a forgettable campaign for the side, giving away more than 30 runs just once in nine innings.

Alzarri Joseph – St Lucia Kings

11 matches, 18 wickets @ 15.00, ER: 6.75, BBI: 4-17

The 25-year-old ended the tournament at the top of the wickets charts, stringing together neat spells with the new ball for the Kings, right up till the Eliminator. Consistent, as always, he picked up at least one wicket in all but one game. A couple of late bursts with the bat were a little added bonus.

Mohammad Amir – Jamaica Tallawahs

12 matches, 16 wickets @ 15.62, ER: 6.43, BBI: 3-22

Not part of the final due to injury, Amir was a vital cog in Tallawahs’ title triumph, only behind Imad in the wickets tally for the champions. Barring a rare off day against the Warriors, Amir was right on the money throughout the season, giving away over 30 runs just one other time in 12 games. At least a wicket came in all but two matches.

12th man – Kyle Mayers – Barbados Royals

12 matches, 366 runs @ 30.50, SR: 134.55, HS: 79; 8 wickets @ 10.75, ER: 5.37, BBI: 4-4

Keeping him out was, by far, the hardest call.

A season to remember for Mayers. He scored the second-most runs and hit the third-most sixes in the competition (21). Batting at the top, he reeled off three fifties. With the ball, he was just as impressive, including a spell of 4-4 against Kings in a rain-hit game. Among all bowlers with 5-plus wickets, Mayers’ economy rate was only behind Sunil Narine.