Babar Azam named captain of ICC’s Most Valuable Team of the Tournament

After leading Pakistan brilliantly in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021, Babar Azam was named the skipper of ICC’s Team of the Tournament for the mega event. The announcement was made by the International Cricket Council (ICC) Monday after Australia won its maiden T20 World Cup title.

The @upstox Most Valuable Team of the Tournament has been announced 🌟

Does your favourite player feature in the XI?

Read: https://t.co/J3iDmN976U pic.twitter.com/SlbuMw7blo

— ICC (@ICC) November 15, 2021

As per details, players from six teams have been named in the Official ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Upstox Most Valuable Team of the Tournament. It is for the first time that no Indian cricketer is included in the squad announced by the cricket governing body.

Opening batter David Warner, leg-spinner Adam Zampa and seamer Josh Hazlewood all make the cut for Australia after helping steer their side to their first-ever T20 World Cup title.

There are also spots for England ace Jos Buttler as wicketkeeper, Pakistan’s Babar Azam as captain, New Zealand left-armer Trent Boult and Sri Lanka star Wanindu Hasaranga – the tournament’s leading wicket-taker – in the line-up.

Read More – ICC receives criticism for not naming Babar Azam T20 World Cup ‘Player of the Tournament’

The side was pulled together by a selection panel featuring commentators, former international players and journalists Ian Bishop (Convener), Natalie Germanos, Shane Watson, Lawrence Booth – of Wisden, the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday – and Shahid Hashmi of Agence France Presse.

Commenting on the team, Ian Bishop said: “As with any team selection there will be varying opinions, and robust discussion on the final composition of the squad. The panel respects that, and we encourage the strong debate that will ensue.”

He said that this team was incredibly difficult to select over such a highly competitive tournament and the selections were based predominantly on the Super 12 onward to the final.

The team of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 (in batting order) is:

David Warner (Australia) – 289 runs at 48.16

Jos Buttler (wk) (England) – 269 runs at 89.66, five dismissals

Babar Azam (Captain, Pakistan) – 303 runs at 60.60

Charith Asalanka (Sri Lanka) – 231 runs at 46.20

Aiden Markram (South Africa) – 162 runs at 54.00

Moeen Ali (England) – 92 runs at strike rate of 131.42, seven wickets at 11

Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka) – 16 wickets at 9.75

Adam Zampa (Australia) – 13 wickets at 12.07

Josh Hazlewood (Australia) – 11 wickets at 15.90

Trent Boult (New Zealand) – 13 wickets at 13.30

Anrich Nortje (South Africa) – nine wickets at 11.55

Shaheen Afridi – seven wickets at 24.14

Captaining the side at No 3 is Pakistan skipper Babar, who was the only batter to break the 300-run barrier throughout the duration of the competition.

His 68 not out against arch-rivals India powered Pakistan to a memorable 10-wicket victory, while three further half-centuries in the Super 12 stages helped book his team’s slot in the semi-final against Australia.