Ahead of the semi-finals of the 2021 T20 World Cup, we’ve taken a look at some of the stars to emerge from the show so far.

Most of these players have been around the block in international cricket, but this tournament has seen them rise to another level to stand out from the crowd.

Wanindu Hasaranga – Sri Lanka

Having made his international debut in 2017 and played more than 60 matches for Sri Lanka, Hasaranga has been making a fine impression for some time, but this World Cup has added even greater weight to his status as a gifted all-rounder. His leg-spin reaped 16 wickets, including a hat-trick against South Africa, and he packed a punch with the bat too, playing explosive knocks against England and Ireland.

Aiden Markram – South Africa

This may be an odd admission – Markram has five Test centuries to his name – but the 27-year-old confirmed this tournament that he holds a strong future in international white-ball cricket too. Operating in the middle order, he delivered a masterful 26-ball 51* in a successful chase against the West Indies, while England were on the end of a 25-ball 52* in another South Africa win.

Charith Asalanka – Sri Lanka

Having made his international debut this June, Asalanka came into the tournament with just three T20I caps to his name. He ended it as one of the faces of his country’s new generation, with half-centuries against Bangladesh and West Indies providing him with two Player-of-the-Match awards.

Mark Watt – Scotland

The canny left-arm spinner was at the heart of Scotland’s progression to the Super 12 stage and took a wicket in every match until their tournament closer against Pakistan. On three consecutive occasions, he returned figures of 1-23 from four overs, and while he was expensive against India and Pakistan, he went at under a run a ball against everyone else.

Maheesh Theekshana – Sri Lanka

A mystery spinner with impressive control, Theekshana only made his international debut in September and thrived after being parachuted into the World Cup. He took eight wickets and conceded just 45 runs in the tournament’s first round, and while he went wicketless in the Super 12, he remained tough to get away, as demonstrated by figures of 0-13 from four overs against England.

Tymal Mills – England

Having played in multiple T20 leagues and built up a fine reputation as a death-overs specialist, Mills was by no means unknown to a global audience leading up to the tournament – but he hadn’t played for England since 2017. Seven wickets at an average of 15.42 followed before a thigh strain ended his tournament prematurely. Nonetheless, it could be that he’s played his part in a World Cup-winning campaign.

Asif Ali – Pakistan

Asif has been a regular face in Pakistan’s T20I set-up since 2018, but prior to this tournament he’d struggled to show the kind of form that has made him a part of the furniture in the PSL with Islamabad United. Yet his six-hitting was on show in thrilling victories over New Zealand and Afghanistan, with his combined return from those two matches reading: 52 unbeaten runs off 19 balls and seven sixes.

Ruben Trumpelmann – Namibia

His overall figures weren’t by any means phenomenal – six wickets at an average of 35.83 – but the bustling and quick left-armer was a key part of a historic campaign. The 23-year-old was at his most impressive against Scotland, when he took three wickets inside his opening over and he began his side’s encounter against Pakistan with a maiden.

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