Men’s Twenty20 International Team of the Year for 2021
The year 2021 has been a huge one for Twenty20 International cricket with new world champions crowned and plenty of thrilling matches contested.
Here we look at the stand out performers this year and name our Team of the year in Twenty20 International cricket.
1 Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper) – Pakistan
The Pakistan opener is the first name on the team sheet, not just because of his batting position for his country but because of the sheer weight of runs he has accumulated.
Rizwan was the only batter to score more than 1,000 runs in T20Is in 2021 and has been a huge part of the success of Pakistan in the format.
2 Babar Azam (captain) – Pakistan
There are few pundits who wouldn’t back Babar Azam as opening partner to Mohammad Rizwan in a team of the year.
For year-long consistency he keeps Australia’s David Warner out of this line up.
3 Mitchell Marsh – Australia
A consistent but underrated performer for Australia throughout the year, Marsh offers a tremendous range of skills at number three.
A powerful hitter and intelligent cricketer, Marsh got Australia out of trouble more than once this year, even if he didn’t play a prominent role at the T20 World Cup.
4 Devon Conway – New Zealand
Devon Conway’s self-inflicted injury arguably derailed New Zealand’s bid to win the T20 World Cup.
Conway has the ability to lift New Zealand from a very good side to a world class outfit.
5 David Wiese – Namibia
The former Proteas allrounder has enjoyed a career renaissance with Namibia after his Kolpak stint in England came to an end.
Wiese was phenomenal as a finisher at the T20 World Cup and makes a Namibia a dangerous side to face.
6 David Miller – South Africa
Having David Miller in their ranks was the secret weapon for a steadily improving South Africa T20I side.
Miller played some fine knocks to almost single-handedly lift the Proteas to victory throughout 2021.
Ashes series in jeopardy as England await coronavirus test results
7 Wanindu Hasaranga – Sri Lanka
Always a dangerous spinner, Wanindu Hasaranga has blossomed into a fully-fledged allrounder, capable of destroying an attack on his day.
Hasaranga is one of the stars of an exciting Sri Lanka T20I team that could be a real dark horse at the 2022 T20 World Cup.
8 Chris Jordan – England
Chris Jordan might be one of the most underrated bowlers in T20 cricket right now.
He consistently delivers at the death for England and would be a great addition to any side.
9 Shaheen Afridi – Pakistan
Shaheen Afridi is the current king of powerplay bowling and a man with limitless potential.
He has so often put teams out of the contest with two or three brilliant overs up front.
10 Josh Hazlewood – Australia
With a sea of pace options available, Australia saw Josh Hazlewood surprisingly stand out.
Hazlewood would make a great foil to most bowlers but to see him operate with Afridi would be a dream come true.
11 Tabraiz Shamsi – South Africa
Tabraiz Shamsi has vyed with Adam Zampa to be the world’s leading T20I spinner this year and on balance has pipped his Australian rival.
On current form Shamsi would walk into most sides in the world.
