The ICC has revealed the Men’s T20I team of the year on Wednesday. The ICC team of the year recognizes & facilitates 11 impressive players who have done an outstanding job with both bat & ball in a particular calendar year.
The eleven big guns of the World Cricket that successfully make the cut to the prestigious ICC men’s T20I team of the year are:
Jos Buttler (England)
Jos Buttler’s astounding form in the T20I format throughout 2021 has earned him a place in the ICC men’s T20I team of the year. Jos Buttler was at his career-best form by returning with 589 runs in 14 matches at 65.44. He also made a remarkable impact at the T20 World Cup in the UAE & Oman ending as the leading run-scorer with 269 runs including a blistering century against Sri Lanka on a slowish track in Sharjah.
2) Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan)
Pakistan wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan ruled the year 2021 by becoming the highest run-scorer of the T20 format. Amassing 1326 runs in 29 matches, Rizwan struck at an average of 73.66 and a strike rate of 134.89. Rizwan stood out not only as a batter but also as a wicket-keeper playing a crucial role in guiding Pakistan to the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 semi-finals. Mohammed Rizwan left his impression by ending as the third-highest run-scorer of the tournament.
3) Babar Azam (Pakistan)
Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam was at his best in the T20Is during 2021 by ending the T20 World Cup 2021 as the highest run-scorer. Overall Babar Azam has played 29 matches & has aggregated 939 runs at an average of 37.56 with one century and nine half-centuries. Babar Azam’s outstanding performances with the bat in the T20 format have helped him to yield Captain’s place in the ICC Men’s T20I team of the year. Babar Azam’s captaincy received a lot of praise as he led Pakistan to the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2021 in UAE and Oman.
4) Aiden Markram (South Africa)
Aiden Markram ended 2021 as a power-pack test opener where his T20 game improved to a great extent. In 18 T20 matches, Markram scored 570 runs at 43.84 with six half-centuries, striking at 148.82. He proved his mettle with the ball also by contributing with five wickets.
5) Mitchell Marsh (Australia)
Australia’s success at the T20 world cup is the result of the sheer effort of Mitchell Marsh who has brought stability to Aussies’ top order by batting at No 3. Throughout 2021 he has shown a fantastic game with both bat & ball by chipping in with 627 runs in 21 matches at an average of 36.88. He also ended 2021 by scalping eight wickets in 21 T20Is
6) David Miller (South Africa)
David Miller’s stunning knocks in T20Is helped South Africa to win some crucial matches during the T20 World Cup 2021. During 2021, He played 17 matches, scoring 377 runs at 47.12 with two half-centuries, striking at 149.60. His outstanding figures helped him to grab a place in the ICC men’s T20I team of the year.
7) Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri lanka)
Wanindu Hasaranga raised his bar & established himself as one of the best spinners in the T20 format in 2021. Hasanranga shone brightly during the T20 World Cup in UAE and Oman, ending the tournament as the leading wicket-taker with 16 scalps. Overall, he picked up 36 wickets in 20 matches at 11.63, while also scoring 196 runs.
8) Tabraiz Shamsi (South Africa)
The No 1 ranked bowler in the world showcased why he is titled as ‘No 1’ by displaying standout performances with the ball. In 22 matches, he scalped 36 wickets at an average of 13.36 and a miserly economy of 5.72.
9) Josh Hazlewood (Australia)
Known as a test specialist, Josh Hazlewood ended 2021 by creating a lasting impact in T20 format. He was key in Australia’s maiden T20 World Cup 2021 title win. In 15 matches, he picked up 23 wickets at an average of 16.34 and an economy of 6.87.
10) Mustafizur Rahman (Bangladesh)
Bangladesh’s left-arm pacer rocked 2021 in T20I format by scalping crucial wickets for his team. He scalped 28 wickets in 20 matches at an average of 17.39. He also proved lethal for the batters to get away as proven by his economy of 7.00. Rahman’s note-worthy performance with the ball during 2021 has helped him to secure a place in the prestigious ICC men’s t20I team of the year.
11) Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan)
When best performances in T20 format during 2021 are talked about, Shaheen Afridi grabs a top place. Extracting wickets with a reverse swing, Afridi scalped 23 wickets in 21 matches at an average of 26.04 and an economy of 7.86. Shaheen Afridi’s stunning performances helped him to yield a place in the ICC Men’s T20 team of the year.
ICC Men’s T20I Team of the Year:
Babar Azam (Captain), Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Jos Buttler, Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, David Miller, Tabraiz Shamsi, Josh Hazlewood, Wanindu Hasaranga, Mustafizur Rahman, Shaheen Afridi