Dubai: No Indian cricketer was named in the ICC’s T20 World Cup Most Valuable Team of the Tournament as players players from six teams were named on Monday. The ICC came up with the team a day after Australia won the T20 World Cup 2021 title after defeating New Zealand in the final by 8 wickets.
Stars from winners Australia, runners-up New Zealand, semifinalists Pakistan and England made it to the tournament’s valuable team. Players from Sri Lanka and South Africa also feature in the star-studded lineup released by ICC. Pakistan’s Babar Azam was named captain of the side while player of the tournament.
The selection panel included commentators Ian Bishop, Natalie Germanos and Shane Watson, and two journalists. “As with any team selection there will be varying opinions, and robust discussion on the final composition of the squad. Thepanel respects that, and we encourage the strong debate that will ensue,” Bishop said.
“As a panel we felt that the combination of runs plus strike rate plus match impact for batsmen, to be decisive factors. We endeavoured to select players as close to their initial team position where possible. This intention was not always a reality, as some compromises had to be made.”
Opening batsman David Warner, leg-spinner Adam Zampa and seamer Josh Hazlewood all made it to the cut for Australia after helping steer their side to their first-ever ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title.
Moeen has been picked as a “utility all-rounder” while the panel opined that the “bowling group was felt to select itself” which comprises two leg-spinners in Hasaranga and Zampa and three seamers in Hazelwood, Boult and Nortje.
Among the notable absentees were Mohammad Rizwan, who played a key role in Pakistan’s run to the semi-final. “However, we could not fit him into the team too far outside of the opening position where he is most suited and successful, nor ahead of those selected,” Bishop explained.
“The panel was also impressed with Shaheen Shah Afridi’s bowling at 21 years of age and we felt compelled to institute him as the optional player in the 12-player squad,” Bishop added.
ICC’s Team of the Tournament: David Warner, Jos Buttler, Babar Azam (c), Charith Asalanka, Aiden Markram, Moeen Ali, Wanindu Hasaranga, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, Trent Boult, Anrich Nortje; 12th player – Shaheen Afridi
