The 2022 T20 World cup will be remembered as one of the best editions in the history of cricket. The cricket world was full of multiple ups and downs, unpredictability, and brilliant cricket with scenarios and permutations building up as to who will end up as the winner of this World Cup.
With fantastic games and admirable cricketing skills, the England team became the champion of the T20 World Cup. The team wasn’t at its best in the Super 12 stage, however, they peaked at the right time and balanced their way to make themselves the Supreme team of the World Cup. Jos Buttler’s team knocked Pakistan by five wickets in the finals and made highlights in the world of cricket.
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2022 T20 World Cup Team of the Tournament
Talking of the World Cup, selecting a team for the tournament has never been an easy job, especially when there were several outstanding performances. Keeping in mind consistency, balance, and how well a cricketer played in the matches that mattered most, here is the list of cricketers that will constitute a brilliant team of the World Cup.
1. Jos Buttler (Captain & Wicket-keeper) – England
Jos Buttler was an extraordinary opener of this World Cup. The England captain showed excellent captaincy at the right time. Buttler hit two half-centuries in the vital matches against New Zealand to be a part of the Super 12 and against India to qualify in the semi-finals which accelerated England’s speed toward the final in the World Cup. He had played outstanding innings which totals 225 runs in the World Cup with an avg. of 45.00 and a Strike Rate of 144.23. He proved himself as one of the most influential cricketers and a strong captain in the World Cup.
2. Alex Hales (Batsman) – England
Hales hit two crucial half-centuries in the tournament. His ‘player of the match’ performance against India in the semi-final will be written on the pages of England’s cricket and will serve as a significant example in future years. He made 212 runs with an average of 42.40 and a Strike Rate of 147.22. Hales’ firepower was a great redemption story after a long time from the England side.
3. Virat Kohli (Batsman) – India
After facing tough times, India’s number three was back to his best form. He finished the tournament as the leading run-scorer with 296, which included four half-centuries. The highlight was an innings for the ages against Pakistan on October 23 which was a moment of sigh for all Indians. Kohli had an average of. 98.66 and a Strike Rate of 136.40.
In the process, he made himself the second and the fastest player to reach 1,000 runs easily in T20 World Cups.
4. Suryakumar Yadav (Batsman) – India
Suryakumar Yadav was a sensational player during the World Cup. He was often tasked with providing the innings with momentum after a slow start up top. He was seen delivering the best performances on International Cricket’s big stage. He hit three half-centuries which marked the radiant SKY amidst gloom for the Indian team. His fiery 68 off 40 was a lining of hope as the rest of India’s top-order batsmen succumbed to a high-quality pace attack by SA bowlers. Surya put up an incredible 189.68 in a record-breaking year for India’s number four. In awe-inspiring Surya’s 239 runs, his fearless performance will be talked about for ages.
5. Glenn Phillips (Batsman) – New Zeland
Like Suryakumar for India, Glenn Phillips often proved to be the catalyst for the New Zealand team. He smashed a spectacular century against Sri Lanka with the Kiwis in trouble and then kept the Black Caps right in the game against England with 62 off just 36 balls. He scored 201 runs in total, with the avg. 40.20 and Strike Rate is 158.26.
6. Sikandar Raza (Batsman and Bowler) – Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe was one of the shining stories of this World Cup. The radiant Sikandar Raza was at the center of it all, producing fascinating highlights with both, his batting and bowling. He helped Zimbabwe qualify for both the World Cup itself and the Super 12 stage. His memorable bowling in a player-of-the-match performance against Pakistan will be etched in the world of cricket. Talking of his batting, he made a total of 219 runs with the avg. 27.37 and SR 147.97 whereas he took 10 wickets with an avg. 15.60 and economy at 6.50.
7. Shadab Khan (Bowler) – Pakistan
The player who performed crucial roles in the World Cup. Pakistan was all gone when they fell to 43/4 in their must-win match against South Africa. However, Shadab had other ideas when he blazed a remarkable 22-ball 52 to keep Pakistan alive in the game. He struck an amazing Strike Rate of 168.96 in the world cup.
Pakistan made its way to the final end. Shadab proved to be a vital player with the ball right throughout, especially at Perth, finishing with 11 wickets at an economy of just 6.34. There is nothing Shadab can’t do when it comes to cricket.
8. Sam Curran (Bowler) – England
Curran will be remembered as ‘Player of the final’ and ‘ICC player of the series. He came into the World Cup in good form, but to produce so brilliantly in the tournament itself is something else and he continued his brilliant form. The left-arm bowler was the team’s best bowler who took 13 wickets at an average of 11.38 with an economy rate of 6.52 in six matches, including 3/12 in the final. In the final overs (17-20), Curran took nine wickets for 70 runs in 64 balls. His greatest strength remains his consistency and balance which proved to be a benefit for his team in the T20 World Cup.
9. Shaheen Shah Afridi (Bowler) – Pakistan
After a slow and steady start to the tournament, easing his way back from injury, Shaheen burst into life. The Pakistan strike bowler slung the Pakistan team to the semi-finals with seven wickets in the final two Super 12 games, followed by 2/24 in the semi-final against New Zealand.
Shaheen gave Pakistan hope early in the final trademark in-swinger for Alex Hales in the first over of the final of the tournament. He took 11 wickets at an avg. of 14.09 with an economy rate of 6.15. But, his injury resulted in a heartbreaking end for both he and his team.
10. Mark Wood (Bowler) – England
Mark Wood missed the crucial semi-final and final because of the injury, but England arguably would not have made it to that position with his contributions. Wood delivered his speeds up above 150km/h regularly, taking crucial wickets against Sri Lanka and Ireland when the other bowlers were under par. He made his mark in the group-stage matches. He took 9 wickets at an avg. of 12.00 with an economy rate of 7.71.
To sum up, the T20 World Cup 2022 tournament experienced the world’s best players producing sparkling performances. It was a close contest between all teams to win the tournament. However, in the end, England lifted the World Cup defeating Pakistan in the finals. There were outstanding performances and breathtaking innings during the tournament by the players who put in their efforts to make this tournament even more bigger.
