After India toppled South Africa in the T20 World Cup final at Bridgetown’s Kensington Oval on Sunday morning AEST, Fox Cricket has taken a stab at picking its unofficial team of the tournament.
Individual performances that contributed to team success were heavily weighted in the selection criteria, so players from nations that failed to qualify for the Super Eights were not considered.
ROHIT SHARMA (IND) – Captain
258 runs at 36.71, SR 156.70
HS 92, three fifties
Rohit Sharma finished his T20I international just as it started, by helping India win a T20 World Cup title.
The Indian captain was the tournament’s second-leading run-scorer, while his blazing knock against Australia was arguably the best batting performance of the Super Eights.
Rohit SMASHES Starc for 4 6s in one over | 01:13
RAHMANULLAH GURBAZ (AFG)
281 runs at 35.12, SR 124.33
HS 80, three fifties
Rahmanullah Gurbaz was instrumental to Afghanistan qualifying for the semi-finals of a major ICC event for the first time.
The opening batter finished the T20 World Cup as the leading run-scorer, smacking crucial fifties during both of Afghanistan’s historic wins over New Zealand and Australia.
NICHOLAS POORAN (WI) – Wicketkeeper
228 runs at 38.00, SR 146.15
HS 98, one fifty
Eight catches, no stumpings
Despite failing to convert many of his starts into substantial scores, Nicholas Pooran was still comfortably the most consistent No. 3 batter at this year’s T20 World Cup.
The left-hander notched the highest score of the tournament against Afghanistan during the group stage, also clearing the boundary more often than any other cricketer in the Caribbean with 17 sixes.
Insane direct hit robs Pooran of 1st ton | 00:37
AARON JONES (USA)
162 runs at 40.50, SR 135.00
HS 94*, one fifty
The breakout star from the T20 World Cup, Aaron Jones became a household name after steering the United States of America towards unforgettable wins over Canada and Pakistan during the group stage.
Unfortunately, the former Barbados representative couldn’t replicate his heroics in the Super Eight stage, registering scores of 0, 11 and 10.
10 SIXES! USA gun BELTS 94 unbeaten | 01:20
MARCUS STOINIS (AUS)
169 runs at 42.25, SR 164.07
HS 67*, two fifties
Ten wickets at 15.10, ER 8.88, BB 3/19
Marcus Stoinis was Australia’s hero during the group stage, cracking crucial fifties during the nation’s victories over Oman and Scotland.
The West Australian also finished with the highest strike rate of the tournament among players with at least 150 runs.
Only two cricketers have taken more wickets and scored more runs during a Men’s T20 World Cup campaign – white-ball superstars Shane Watson and Shahid Afridi.
HARDIK PANDYA (IND)
144 runs at 48.00, SR 151.57
HS 50*, one fifty
11 wickets at 17.36, ER 7.64, BB 3-20
India was undefeated in this year’s T20 World Cup, with Hardik Pandya making contributions with either bat or ball in each match.
After an underwhelming Indian Premier League campaign, the all-rounder more than redeemed himself with blistering batting cameos and clutch bowling spells during the death overs, including the final against South Africa.
Annoyed Hardik CRACKS IT at Pant | 00:31
RASHID KHAN (AFG) – Vice-captain
57 runs at 11.40, SR 123.91, HS 19*
14 wickets at 12.78, ER 6.17
BB 4-17, two four-wicket hauls
Rashid Khan’s skilful bowling and inspiring leadership helped Afghanistan reach the semi-finals of a major ICC event for the first time.
The 25-year-old was the only spinner to take four-wicket hauls on multiple occasions in the tournament, including the tense Super Eight victory over Bangladesh and the Black Caps thrashing.
Rashid fumes after being overruled | 00:47
RISHAD HOSSAIN (BAN)
14 wickets at 13.85, Econ 7.76
BB 3-22
Bangladesh didn’t have much to celebrate during this year’s T20 World Cup campaign, but the emergence of young leg-spinner Rishad Hossain would have excited Tigers fans.
The 21-year-old’s career is still in its infancy, but his performance against Sri Lanka during the group stage offered a glimpse of his potential in the game’s shortest format.
JASPRIT BUMRAH (IND)
15 wickets at 8.26, ER 4.17
BB 3-7
The player of the tournament. No arguments needed.
Not only did Jasprit Bumrah maintain an otherworldly economy of just above four runs per over throughout the T20 World Cup, but his death bowling is a class above any other seamer in world cricket.
He’s a phenomenal talent.
FAZALHAQ FAROOQI (AFG)
17 wickets at 9.41, ER 9.41
BB 5-9, two four-wicket hauls
Fazalhaq Farooqi finished as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker after a handful of exceptional performances during the group stage.
The left-armed quick’s four-wicket haul against New Zealand might be the greatest bowling performance of his career to date, while his five-fa against Uganda were the best figures in a T20 World Cup match since 2014.
ANRICH NORTJE (RSA)
15 wickets at 13.40, ER 5.74
BB 4-7, one five-wicket haul
The fast and menacing Anrich Nortje was the heart of South Africa’s bowling attack in the Caribbean this month.
After ripping through Sri Lanka on a volatile deck in New York, the Proteas paceman was unstoppable during the middle overs for the remainder of the tournament, maintaining an economy rate of less than six.
4-7! EVERY ball of Nortje’s insane spell | 02:39
RESERVES
Arshdeep Singh (IND), Adam Zampa (AUS), Quinton de Kock (RSA), Travis Head (AUS)