Sports

Hasaranga and Asalanka named in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup team

Published

4 years ago

2021/11/16

ICC T20 World Cup Tournament’s highest wicket taker Wanindu Hasaranga and Charith Asalanka have been named in the official ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Most Valuable Team of the Tournament.

While Babar Azam has been named captain of the team, players from six countries have been named in the team.

Stars from champions Australia, runners-up New Zealand, semi-finalists England and Pakistan as well as Sri Lanka and South Africa feature in the star-studded line up.

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 ICC Men’s 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.

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

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. This team was incredibly difficult to select over such a highly competitive tournament. 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

12th: Shaheen Afridi – seven wickets at 24.14

Warner came into the tournament in uncharacteristically patchy form but laid those demons to rest in style with a power-packed set of performances.

The left-handed Australian opener racked up a tally of 289 runs – the second most of the tournament – at a healthy average of 48.16 to help propel his team to victory in Sunday’s Dubai final.

Warner struck 65 against Sri Lanka in the Super 12 stages, before a breath-taking 89 not out against the West Indies and then 49 against Pakistan in the semi-finals placed his team on the cusp of global glory.

And his 53 in the final provided the perfect support act for Mitchell Marsh – 77 not out – as Australia chased down a total of 173 to clinch their maiden ICC Men’s T20 World Cup crown.

England star Buttler was in similarly blistering form throughout, scoring just 20 runs fewer than Warner at a brilliant average of almost 90.

He cracked a perfectly-paced century against Sri Lanka – off just 67 balls – when his team needed him most, while his brutal knock of 71 not out against Australia helped fire England to an emphatic eight-wicket victory against the eventual champions.

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 old 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.

And while they were unable to battle past Aaron Finch’s outfit, Babar helped himself to 39 in the first innings to finish his campaign in typically consistent fashion.

Asalanka slots in at No.4 after his match-winning innings against Bangladesh in the Super 12s.

With his team in pursuit of 172 to win, Asalanka cracked a scintillating 80 not out off just 49 balls to guide Sri Lanka over the line and solidify his reputation as one of his country’s brightest talents.

A further innings of 68 against the West Indies soon followed as Asalanka scored 231 runs at an average of 46.20 throughout the course of the tournament.

South African Markram and England all-rounder Moeen occupy the No.5 and 6 positions, with Markram’s quickfire 52 not out against England helping down Eoin Morgan’s team in Sharjah.

Another half-century against the West Indies helped him reach a total of 162 runs at an average of 54 while for Ali, a haul of 92 – at a strike rate of 131.42 – provided a valuable contribution for England.

His economical off-spin also went for just 5.50 per over as his seven wickets at 11 saw him function as a crucial string to England’s T20I bow.

Completing the middle order is Hasaranga, who stands tall as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with a stunning 16 from his eight matches.

The skilful leg-spinner bagged a brilliant hat-trick against South Africa as he dismissed Temba Bavuma, Markram and Dwaine Pretorius – across two separate spells – to etch his name into ICC Men’s T20 World Cup folklore.

And a further three wickets against England, bolstered by two against Australia, saw him emerge as the most prolific bowler of the tournament and firmly deserving of his place in the Team of the Tournament.

Australian pairing Zampa and Hazlewood line up at No.8 and 9, with fellow leg-spinner Zampa lying closely behind Hasaranga in the tournament’s leading wicket-takers.

Conceding an average of his 5.81 runs an over, the Australian ace removed 13 victims across his seven matches – including a memorable five-wicket haul against Bangladesh in the Super 12s.

Zampa ended with figures of 5 for 19 off his four overs and after Australia navigated their way to the final, teammate Hazlewood followed in his footsteps with a record-equalling three for 16 against the Black Caps.

Hazlewood dismissed Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips in Dubai and his figures represented the joint-best of any seamer in an ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Final alongside Indian Irfan Pathan in the 2007 showpiece.

And that helped cap a haul of 11 total wickets as the skilful right-armer proved a crucial weapon in guiding Justin Langer’s team to their maiden tournament title.

Rounding off the side at No.10 and 11 are fellow pace bowlers Trent Boult and Anrich Nortje, who both took 13 and nine wickets respectively for New Zealand and South Africa.

Left-armer Boult took three-fers against both India and Afghanistan, while grabbing both of his team’s wickets in the final helped him finish the tournament with an average of 13.30.

Nortje’s express pace sees him slot into the team at No.11, with his nine wickets at 11.55 featuring a barnstorming performance that blew away Bangladesh.

He took three for eight off his 3.2 overs to help bowl the Tigers out for just 84 and further enhance his reputation as one of the short format’s most blockbuster bowlers.

Taking his place as 12th man is Pakistan prodigy Shaheen Afridi, who started his tournament in style with a blistering new ball spell against old foes India.

Afridi, 21, removed the talismanic top three trio of Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and captain Virat Kohli to end with figures of three for 31 and lay the foundations for a memorable victory.

The left-arm pacer finished the tournament with seven wickets at 24.14 and will no doubt continue to star at multiple more ICC World Cup events throughout an exciting future career.

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Shadab, Mirza, Abrar set up Pakistan’s easy win in first T20I

Published

33 mins ago

2026/01/7

Priyan

Shadab Khan made a strong comeback to the Pakistan side with 2 for 25 (Cricinfo)

Pakistan flexed their muscle in the first T20I in Dambulla, beating Sri Lanka by six wickets with 20 balls to spare. The win was set up by their bowling unit. On a two-paced pitch, Salman Mirza and Abrar Ahmed picked up three wickets each and a returning Shadab Khan two.

Sri Lanka’s innings never got going. Sent in, they found themselves on 38 for 4 in the seventh over. They recovered to reach 127 for 6 in the 18th but lost the last four wickets for the addition of just one more run.

In reply, Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub gave Pakistan a start of 59 in 5.5 overs. Ayub fell for 24 but Farhan carried on, bringing up his fifty off 35 balls. Pakistan did lose three quick wickets when they were around 100 but by then, the result was all but decided. Shadab scored a quick 18 not out off 12 balls and picked up the Player-of-the-Match award.

Given the rain concerns, the pitch had been under covers for the last couple of days. When Salman Agha opted to bowl after winning the toss, he expected his bowlers to make use of the moisture in the surface. He was’t let down. Mirza and Mohammad Wasim largely bowled good lines and lengths, and with some balls skidding through and some holding into the pitch, the run scoring wasn’t easy. When the Sri Lanka openers, Kamil Mishara and Pathum Nissanka, tried to attack, they lost their wickets. As a result, Sri Lakna could manage only 35 for 2 in the powerplay.

Playing his first match for Pakistan since June 2025, Shadab Khan didn’t take long to make an impact. With his third ball, he trapped Kusal Mendis lbw. Two balls later, he had Dhananjaya de Silva caught behind with a googly. De Silva, who was playing his first T20I since the 2024 T20 World Cup, made a run-a-ball 10.

At times, Shadab turned his legbreak square. In his third over, he should have had Janith Liyanage caught at long-on. However, Farhan not only dropped the catch but also parried the ball for a six. Still, Shadab finished with 2 for 25 from his four.

Abrar Ahmed, introduced in the 12th over, also struck in his first over. He had Charith Asalanka caught behind to make it 72 for 5. He also had Liyanage dropped off his bowling; this time Mirza grassed a chance at short fine leg. Liayanage rode his luck and added 38 off 23 balls with Wanindu Hasaranga for the sixth wicket. The pair was severe on Mohammad Nawaz, taking 16 off him in the 15th over.

At 106 for 5 with five overs to go and Dasun Shanaka yet to bat, Sri Lanka must have had their sights on 150. But Abrar got rid of Hasaranga and Liyanage in his successive overs. From there on, the end was swift. Mirza and Wasim shared the last three wickets to wrap up the innings.

Sri Lanka had hit their first six in the tenth over of the innings, Pakistan off the tenth ball. Maheesh Theekshana bowled one full outside off and Ayub launched him over extra cover. In the next over, Farhan took Pakistan’s six tally to three with back-to-back hits off Nuwan Thushara. Sri Lanka, in their whole innings, had managed only two.

The pitch had eased out by then but at the same time, the Sri Lanka bowlers showed none of the discipline of their counterparts. Theekshana did bowl Ayub in the sixth over but Sri Lanka needed much more than that.

Shanaka brought Hasaranga on immediately after the powerplay. It was like a last throw of the dice. But with no scoreboard pressure, Farhan and Agha could afford to play him out. Eventually, he dismissed Agha – ironically off a full toss that the batter tried to hit for a six – and finished with 1 for 17 from his quota.

In the meantime, Farhan kept smashing the seamers and took the side past 100 in the 12th over. There was a little hiccup around that time as Pakistan lost three wickets for 12 runs in the space of 19 balls but it did not change anything.

Brief scores:

Pakistan 129 for 4 in 16.4 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 51, Saim Ayub 24, Salman Agha 16, Shadab Khan 18*; Maheesh Theekshana 1-31, Dushmantha Chameera 1-34, Wanindu Hasaranga 1-17, Dhananjaya de Silva 1-04) beat Sri Lanka 128 in 19.2 overs (Pathum Nissanka 12, Kusal Mendis 14, Dhananjaya de Silva 10, Charith Asalanka 18, Janith Liyanage 40, Wanidu Hasaranga 18, Dasun Shanaka 12; Salman Mirza 3-18, Mohammad Wasim 2-07, Shadab Khan 2-25, Abrar Ahmed 3-25) by six wickets

(Cricinfo)

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Shadab, Dhananjaya back as Pakistan chase in first T20I

Published

5 hours ago

2026/01/7

Priyan

Shadab Khan last represented Pakistan in June 2025 [Cricinfo]

Pakistan captain Salman Agha won the toss and opted to field in the first T20I against Sri Lanka in Dambulla.

Given the rain concerns, the pitch had been under covers for the last couple of days, and Agha hoped to use the moisture in the surface. Shanaka, though, expected it to be a typical Dambulla pitch, full of runs.

Both sides were packed with allrounders. Shadab Khan who last played for Pakistan in June 2025, returned for Pakistan. Apart from him, Pakistan had Faheem Ashraf and Saim Ayub, both more than capable with both bat and ball.

For Sri Lanka, Dhanajaya de Silva made a comeback. His last T20I was back in June 2024. Apart from contributing with the bat, he will support the spin duo Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana.

Given both teams play their group matches and Super Eight games (assuming they reach there) in Sri Lanka, this three-match series, about a month out of the World Cup, is a great opportunity to get acclimatised to the conditions.

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (capt), Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Nuwan Thushara

Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha (capt), Usman Khan (wk), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed

[Cricinfo]

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Brilliant Bethell hundred pushes SCG Test to fifth day but Australia on target for 4-1

Published

9 hours ago

2026/01/7

Priyan

Jacob Bethell became the youngest Test century-maker since Alastair Cook [Cricinfo]

Jacob Bethell hit a memorable maiden Test century to ensure the Ashes finale of this rather bizarre series reached a fifth day. But England’s push to set Australia a challenging fourth-innings target was stymied by familiar, baffling dismissals and an SCG surface conjuring unexpected sharp turn.

A composed Bethell, 22, defied Australia with an unbeaten 142 off 229 balls, also his maiden century in first-class cricket, in an innings that struck a perfect balance between attack and defence. But he lacked support and a nerve-jangling fourth-innings chase for Australia appears unlikely despite the surface starting to prove challenging.

England had started believing a second consecutive victory was in the works when they reached 219 for 3 in their second innings, with a lead of 36 runs, before Beau Webster turned the game on its head when he trapped Harry Brook lbw for 42. He finished with 3 for 51 from 13 overs in a big effort late in the day.

With sharp turn evident, Webster reverted from seam to offspin and it did the trick, although he was aided by dreadful batting from Will Jacks, while skipper Ben Stokes, batting at No. 8, was compromised by an adductor injury.

After all the debate over the future of spin bowling in Australia, compounded by the non-selection of Todd Murphy, the familiar sight of rampant turn at the SCG would have caused a lump in the throats of traditionalists.

A calamitous mix-up saw Jamie Smith run-out for 26 to add to his list of wretched dismissals as Australia appear on the brink of a convincing 4-1 series victory.

Among the possibilities for the final day of the series, with a thrilling conclusion highly unlikely, Usman Khawaja might still get the chance at a fairy tale finish to his Test career.

There was a sense that the match could finish on day four, with England facing a mountain after toiling through 133.5 overs in the field as Australia compiled 567 – the highest total of the series – with a first-innings lead of 183 runs. Their task was made even more difficult after Stokes trudged off the field early in the day’s play and there was an unknown whether he would bat.

England’s bid for a strong start to their second innings was dashed when Mitchell Starc picked up a first-over wicket for the fourth time this series when he trapped Zak Crawley lbw on 1.

Crawley, who had not played a shot, unsuccessfully reviewed and he ended a typically erratic and ultimately unfulfilling series with 273 runs from ten innings. There was the feeling that England might implode, but Bethell brought composure to the crease while Ben Duckett shaped up well as he looked to end a wretched tour on a good note.

Duckett moved to his highest score of the series and put the pressure on maligned allrounder Cameron Green, who did respond by delivering a brute of a 141kph short delivery that cannoned into Bethell’s helmet and flew over the slips.

Just before lunch, Duckett on 38 gloved a sharp Michael Neser delivery that was dropped by Green, whose torrid time continued when he dived to his right from second slip only to spill the ball in front of Steven Smith, who had moved into good position.

Duckett’s bid for an elusive maiden series half-century was dashed when Neser had the last laugh when he chopped onto his stumps. Having worked so hard in the morning session, Duckett threw his head back in anguish with England’s hopes seemingly resting on Joe Root, coming off his brilliant 160 in the first innings.

But Root was pinned down by Scott Boland, who was in the zone after lunch. Root was unable to find fluency or manipulate the field and his tortuous 6 off 37 balls ended when he was rapped on the pads by a Boland delivery that seamed back sharply.

Root was reluctant to review, but trudged off the field disappointed when ball tracking had it hitting the top of the bail. He received a warm reception in what is likely to be his last Test match on the ground, finishing the series with exactly 400 runs with his two centuries providing the heavy lifting.

Still trailing by 66 runs, England’s chances appeared over but Bethell and Brook scored briskly and took advantage of an Australia attack feeling the pinch in the sunshine.

Bethell was imperious as he unfurled several exquisite cover drives while he also swatted away short balls in brutal fashion. Bethell rolled past his highest first-class score of 96, made against New Zealand in 2024, before facing an excruciating wait for his century. His moment arrived when he skipped down the pitch and launched Webster over wide long-on and he celebrated in steely fashion while his teary-eyed father gave a fist pump in the terraces.

Not for the first time in the series, England merely teased as Brook, who had played relatively calmly, lost focus and luckily edged Starc through the slips to bring up the century partnership. But he was soon pinned on the back foot by Webster as Australia reviewed in the nick of time at the urging of wicketkeeper Alex Carey and it proved a masterstroke.

Jacks, batting at No. 6 following Stokes’ injury, holed out for a second-ball duck in an awful dismissal as England’s hopes sank. Stokes’ limited movement contributed to his dismissal when he edged Webster to a giddy Smith at slip.

Smith took his 14th catch of the series when Boland removed Brydon Carse as England’s resistance appears to have finally been broken despite Bethell batting through to stumps.

Earlier, Australia resumed their first innings on 518 for 7 as they aimed to grind England’s flagging attack further into the ground. But England, to their credit, have risen several times in the series just when a capitulation appeared inevitable.

And they did so again to win the opening session, a feat that appeared extremely unlikely when Smith and Webster scored at ease with England’s woes compounded when Stokes limped off the field midway through his second over of the day.

Stokes had impressively pushed through the entire series, but his battered body finally gave way in his 28th over of the innings.

Unlucky to be dropped ahead of the series, Webster made the most of his recall and reached his fifth half-century from just eight Tests having been pushed down by the nighwatcher Neser to No. 9.

Webster’s hopes of a maiden Test century evaporated when Smith, who added just nine runs to his overnight total, fell for the sixth time to Josh Tongue across formats when he nicked off a delivery that shaped away.

Australia’s innings was soon wrapped up, leaving Webster stranded on 71, one run short of his highest Test score.

Webster’s performance – which was made even better by stumps – was a notable contrast to fellow Ashes debutant Matthew Potts, who finished with none for 141 from 25 overs. But he was spared the most expensive none-for by an English seamer after not being used in the morning’s play.

Brief scores:
England 384 in 97.3 overs and 302 for 8 in 75 overs (Jacob Bethell 142*, Ben Duckett 42, Harry Brook 42; Scott Boland 2-34, Beau Webster 3-51) lead Australia 567 in 133.5 overs (Travis Head 163, Marnus Labuschagne 48, Steven Smith 138, Beau Webster 71*; Josh Tongue 3-97, Brydon Carse 3-130, Ben Stokes 2-95) by 119 runs

[Cricinfo]