T20 World Cup 2022: Best playing XI of the tournament

The T20 World Cup 2022 is over with England emerging as champions with a five-wicket victory against the Pakistan side at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday (November 13).

While England peaked at the right time, some teams made a brilliant start but failed to give their best at crucial moments.

We take a look at who were the best performers during the T20 World Cup and make a playing XI of the top players:

Jos Buttler (Captain and wicketkeeper): Jos Buttler has been in top form this year. After scoring two brilliant centuries in IPL, the wicketkeeper-captain has continued his good form in international cricket also. He played two match-winning knocks in the World Cup, first against New Zealand in the Super 12, and then made 80 from 49 deliveries against India in the semi-final. He made 225 runs at an average of 45 and a strike rate of 144.23.

Alex Hales: Alex Hales has been a big hitter in the T20 format for some time now. He made an unbeaten 86 from 47 deliveries in the semi-final against India and finished as England's second-highest run-scorer in this World Cup. Hales scored 212 runs during the tournament with an average and strike rate of 42.40 and 147.22 respectively.

Virat Kohli: Virat Kohli getting back to form has been one of the best thing that has happened to the Indian team this year. The two brilliant sixes he hit off Haris Rauf and his brilliant knock of 82* against Pakistan were some of the best moments of the T20 World Cup. He finished as the highest run-scorer in this tournament with 296 runs at an average of 98.66.

Suryakumar Yadav: Suryakumar Yadav is not only the number one T20 batsman in the world but also one of the most gifted and versatile hitters of the ball at the moment. Other than playing some match-winning knocks, Yadav was India's second highest run scorer amassing 239 runs at a strike rate of 189.68.

Max ODowd: Netherland's Max ODowd surprised everyone with his batting ability. He was the second-highest run scorer in the tournament after Virat Kohli. ODowd made 242 runs at an average of 34.57 and played some watch-winning knocks for his team, which included the win against England.

Ben Stokes: Ben Stokes has the ability to stay calm under pressure and it has made him one of the greatest finishers and allrounders for the England team. His brilliant fifty in the final took England to World Cup victory. Stokes made 110 runs and performed when it mattered the most. He also had a decent run with the ball.

Sikandar Raza: The Zimbabwe team shocked everyone with their last-ball win over Pakistan in the Super-12 stage and Sikandar Raza played a key role in his team's good show. The allrounder finished as Zimbabwe's highest run-scorer with 219 runs at a strike rate of 147.97. He also picked up 10 wickets with an economy rate of 6.50.

Shadab Khan: When Pakistan's middle-order and bowling were struggling, Shadab Khan stepped up and became a match-winner for his team. The spin-bowling allrounder took 11 wickets at an average of 15 and an economy of 6.34. He also made 98 crucial runs with a strike rate of 168.96.

Sam Curran: England's Sam Curran was named the ICC Player of the Tournament after his outstanding performance during the World Cup. He was also named the Player of the Match during the final against Pakistan.

The left-arm pacer was the highest wicket-taker with 13 scalps and had an economy of 6.52. In the final, he returned with figures of 3/12 in 4 overs.

 

Wanindu Hasaranga: Sri Lanka were not able to make it to the semis, but that didn't stop Wanindu Hasaranga from becoming the highest wicket-taker in the tournament for the second year in a row. He took 15 wickets at an average of 13.26. This included his figures of 3/8 against the UAE and 2/23 against England.

Anrich Nortje: He was the fastest bowler in the tournament and troubled every batsmen who faced him. His tight line and length and skiddy deliveries made him even more dangerous. Nortje took 11 wickets in five matches and had an economy of 5.37.