Best XI of T20 cricket in 2021
The cricket calendar was dominated by T20 matches this year and fans don’t have much to complain about. After all, some exciting contest has been witnessed over the 22 yards. While dashers like Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam piled up a mountain of runs, Rashid Khan and Shaheen Afridi made the ball talk and took wickets for fun.
T20 action was non-stop this year and tournaments like T20 Blast, Indian Premier League, Pakistan Super League, and Caribbean Premier League (CPL) were on schedule. Not to forget, the high-voltage T20 World Cup also took place in October-November, which saw Australia lifting the maiden title. Even as the year ends, fans continue to enjoy T20 action in the Big Bash League.
Meanwhile, let’s look at the best XI of T20 cricket in 2021:
- Babar Azam (C)
The Pakistan skipper was indeed on a roll this year as he played on sensational knock after another and took his side to numerous wins. He also finished as the highest run-scorer in the T20 World Cup and PSL. Overall, he slammed 1700 runs in 45 appearances. He is also be the skipper of this time.
- Mohammad Rizwan (WK)
Azam’s partner-in-crime Mohammad Rizwan was also on a roll in 2021. The wicketkeeper-batter slammed 1949 runs in 47 games, most for a batter in a calendar year. He was also brilliant with his glovework.
- Mitchell Marsh
The Australian all-rounder was phenomenal at number three this year. The dasher scored 934 runs in 32 games alongside taking 10 wickets.
- Glenn Maxwell
Marsh’s fellow Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell also features in this elite list. The veteran all-rounder showcased his three-dimensional abilities, scoring 1033 runs and taking 15 wickets.
- Liam Livingstone
Quite interestingly, Liam Livingstone is the only England player to have made this list. After all, he also delivered in multiple departments. The dasher slammed 1301 runs and also took 21 wickets.
- David Miller
The South African swashbuckler will be the finisher of this team. He slammed 775 runs and constantly provided the late impetus required. Miller slammed 775 runs in total.
- Andre Russell
Russell’s inclusion in this XI was as obvious as daylight. The all-rounder scored 628 runs and took 35 wickets in 42 matches.
- Rashid Khan
Another clear-cut inclusion in this list is Rashid Khan. The Afghanistan leg-spinner scalped 68 wickets in 49 matches with his economy rate being below 7.
- Harshal Patel
Indian pacer Harshal Patel made the ball talk and shattered batting line-ups in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He took 44 wickets in 22 games.
- Tabraiz Shamsi
The South African wrist-spinner gave nightmares to the best of bowlers this year. He took 49 wickets in 34 matches this year at an economy rate of 6.62.
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
Barring the disastrous over to Matthew Wade, Shaheen Afridi breathed fire with the ball this year. The left-arm speedster took 51 wickets in 37 T20s this year.
