The T20 World Cup 2021 comes to an end after about a month of cricketing action.
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There were heartbreaks and close finishes, turnarounds that only a few would have expected, some scintillating knocks as well as lethal bowling spells. We have chosen the team of the tournament comprising of the best performers over the last few weeks.
Jos Buttler
269 runs @ 89.66, HS 101*, SR: 151.22, 4 catches, 1 stumpings
The England keeper made the tournament his own by providing spectacular starts to the England batting line-up. Produced a pair of special knocks in back-to-back games against Australia and Sri Lanka.
David Warner
289 runs @ 48.16, HS 89*, SR: 146.7
The Australia opener walked into the tournament with little form, and walked away as the Player of the Tournament. However, he turned the tide with a 56-ball 89 against West Indies, which helped Australia secure a spot in the semi-finals. His 30-ball 49 helped set a base in the semis, and a 38-ball 53 helped Australia win the World Cup final against New Zealand.
Moeen Ali
92 runs @ 46, HS 51*, SR: 131.42, 7 wickets @ 11, Econ 5.5
The England player gave a complete all-rounder’s performance at the T20 World Cup. He began with a Player of the Match worthy 2-17 against the West Indies, and was hard to get away throughout the tournament. His batting skills came to use in the semi-final against New Zealand, where his 37-ball 51* helped England to a decent total.
Aiden Markram
162 runs @ 54, HS 52*, SR: 145.94
The South Africa batter provided the right impetus at the number four spot for his side. Of special importance were his two fifties, a 26-ball 51 against West Indies, and a 25-ball 52 against England, which helped his team to a pair of wins.
Mitchell Marsh
185 runs @ 61.66, HS 77*, SR: 146.82
The Australia all-rounder played the knock of the final, an unbeaten 77 to upend Kane Williamson’s brilliant 85. He was useful for Australia with the bat through the tournament, and makes the number five in our team of the tournament.
Asif Ali
57 runs @ 57, HS 27*, SR: 237.5
His runs might not be comparable to any of the batters above, but the free-flowing hitter played a brilliant match-winning cameo against Afghanistan. His 7-ball 25 started the finish-the-game-in-the-19th=over trend, which was carried onto the semi-finals by New Zealand and Australian batters. But he stood up against stronger opponents as well, his 12-ball 27 helping Pakistan to a win against New Zealand.
Dwaine Pretorius
9 wickets @ 11.22, Best bowling 3-17, ER: 6.88
The bowling all-rounder’s batting skills weren’t in heavy demand in the tournament, but he was exceptional as his side’s fifth bowler, ensuring that no side could target him. The fact that he wasn’t easily taken apart ensured that South Africa looked in the game even with totals which weren’t formidable.
Wanindu Hasaranga
119 runs @ 23.8, S/R 148.75, 16 wickets @ 9.75, Econ 5.2
While, these figures in themselves made for an excellent reading, Hasaranga was exceptional because he kept up his performances in the Super 12s, carrying his first round form against top tier opponents. He took 10 wickets at an average of 8.2 against South Africa, Australia, England and West Indies, while also scoring a 21-ball 34 to give a strong English side a scare.
Shaheen Shah Afridi
7 wickets @ 24.14, Best bowling 3-31, Econ 7.04
His figures don’t do justice to the kind of impact he had with the new ball. Shaheen ripped out the Indian top-order with a memorable magical spell, and was senesational against the Australia top-order in the semi-finals. Though he was taken apart during the death overs by Matthew Wade, Shaheen’s mesmerising spells have ensured that he has a strong claim to being called the best new-ball bowler in T20 cricket.
Adam Zampa
13 wickets @ 12.07, Best bowling 5-19, Econ 5.81
The Australia leggie was in top form during the World Cup, and spearheaded his side’s march to World Cup glory with some world class spells. His 5-19 against Bangladesh was his high-point, though it could’ve been better had some players held on to the catches.
Trent Boult
13 wickets @ 13.3, Best bowling 3-17, Econ 6.25
New Zealand’s swing king was difficult to read in the World Cup. He teamed up with Tim Southee to create this tournament’s deadliest new-ball combo, and helped keep New Zealand’s momentum through the T20 World Cup. He was impressive in the World Cup final as well.
