The 2022 T20 World Cup saw a number of big players unable to raise their game, making our ‘Duds XI’ of the tournament, while a few youngsters manage to grab attention. Here are the breakout stars from the tournament.
Mohammad Wasim Jr – Pakistan
7 wickets @ 12.28, ER: 6.61, BBI: 4-24
Wasim, 21, was one of the bright sparks in the clash against Zimbabwe, helping restrict the rivals to 130-8 with figures of 4-24, his best T20 figures. Since being left out against India, he has featured in every match, bowling economically and stalling the run flow in the middle overs, sometimes even in the powerplay.
He has troubled batters with inswinging yorkers, kept them guessing with change in pace, and was especially effective against New Zealand, where he conceded 7.5 an over on a day when Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan proved to be on the expensive side. He had the best strike rate among all bowlers from Pakistan in the T20 World Cup, picking up a scalp every 11.1 deliveries.
Finn Allen – New Zealand
95 runs @ 19, SR: 186.27, HS: 42
The prototype powerplay hitter, Allen has the second-best strike rate among batters, after Suryakumar Yadav, giving his team fiery starts game after game. He started the edition with a blistering 16-ball 42, which not only helped New Zealand post 200-3 on the board but went a long way in eliminating Australia and ensuring his team qualified due to a superior net run rate.
Allan, 23, scored 16 in 11 balls against England and 32 in 18 balls against Ireland to emerge as one of the most impressive youngsters in the tournament.
Arshdeep Singh – India
10 wickets @ 15.60, ER: 7.80, BBI: 3-32
In the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep showed immense temperament and skills under pressure. He picked up a wicket with the first ball that he bowled in the World Cup, kickstarting a memorable outing.
He swung the new ball, picked up wickets with wide yorkers and, most importantly, kept things tight. He had an economy rate of 7.50 in the semi-final against England on a night when all his pace-bowling teammates were expensive, showing his mettle again. He picked up at least two wickets in an innings on four out of six occasions, and demonstrated credentials to emerge as the leader of the Indian attack.
Mohammad Haris – Pakistan
89 runs @ 29.66, SR: 161.81, HS: 31
Yet another Pakistan’s enviable pool of talent, Haris transformed his side’s batting line-up. A phenomenal strokeplayer at Under-19 cricket and at the last PSL, Haris scored at at over 250 in the powerplay, striking at 197 against pace to more than make up for the injured Fakhar Zaman. He had played a solitary T20I before the T20 World Cup, but a string of consistent scores, which played a huge part in Pakistan’s turnaround, ensures that he is around for the long haul.
His hitting skills helped shift the momentum towards his team. He made 28 in 11 balls against South Africa and 31 in 18 against Bangladesh before contributing an important 30 in the semifinal.
Maheesh Theekshana – Sri Lanka
9 wickets @ 22.44, ER: 6.69, BBI: 2-15
Theekshana, 22, formed a successful partnership with Wanindu Hasaranga and was the second-highest wicket-taker for the team. He picked up at least a wicket in six of his eight games, and even when he did not have a scalp to his name, he bowled economically.
He opened the bowling against England, giving away 22 in his four overs, trying his best to halt their progress as they set out to chase a below-par 142.
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