The T20 World Cup in Australia has seen some incredible performances from teams and players alike, with several matches going down to the wire. The Player of the Tournament shortlist comprises nine standout players who all dazzled and inspired their teams to victories. Here's a look at the nominees;
Virat Kohli
The legendary Indian batsman was crucial to his team's progress to the semifinals.
Kohli scored 296 runs at a mind-boggling average of 98.66 in six games. His runs also came at a healthy rate of 136.40, and he presently leads the tournament run-scoring standings. In the tournament, Kohli amassed four half-centuries, including a historic 82* against Pakistan in India's triumph against Pakistan in Melbourne.
Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav played some of the most audacious shots you have ever seen during the tournament.
Yadav amassed 239 runs in six games while striking out at an astonishing 189.68 per cent. Additionally, he recorded three half-centuries.
Yadav's achievements in Australia served as a true prelude to his emergence on the world scene, and he also cemented his position as the top batter in the ICC Men's T20I Player Rankings.
Shadab Khan
In Pakistan's journey to the tournament's final, Shadab Khan has been one of the team's top players, shining both with the bat and the ball.
In Pakistan's crucial match against South Africa in Sydney, Shadab's greatest contribution with the bat was a scorching half-century. He has taken 10 wickets with the ball in six games, with top figures of 3/22 and a meagre economy of 6.59.
Shaheen Afridi
Shaheen Afridi has gradually but steadily found his rhythm in the tournament. The bowler had no wickets in his first two games but went on to take 10 in his following four, helping Pakistan rally from the verge of elimination to make the finals.
He has taken 10 wickets overall in six games for an average of 14.20 and a remarkable economy of 6.17. In the championship match against England, Pakistan will once more rely on him to deliver.
Sam Curran
Throughout England's journey to the finals, Sam Curran has been their go-to death bowler. He has bowled superbly during the difficult overs.
Curran has amassed 10 wickets at a strike rate of 13.60 and an economy rate of 7.28 in five games, including a five-wicket haul against Afghanistan. If England are to win the coveted trophy in the final, he will have to play a significant role.
Jos Buttler
Throughout the competition, the England captain has taken the initiative and given his teams some explosive starts. He has a successful partnership with Alex Hales, and the two destroyed India in the semi-final in Adelaide.
His leadership has also been outstanding, as has his fielding behind the stumps. Buttler has overall scored 199 runs in five games at a respectable strike rate of 143.16, including two half-centuries.
Alex Hales
Alex Hales has really established himself after rejoining the England team following Jonny Bairstow's injury before the tournament began. With 211 runs in five games at a strike rate of 148.59 and two half-centuries, he is England's leading run-scorer.
In the semifinal match against India, he delivered one of the performances of the competition, scoring an outstanding undefeated 86.
Sikandar Raza
In the competition's shortest format in 2022, Zimbabwe's talisman continued his incredible run. He contributed some crucial hits with the bat and some useful overs with the ball.
In eight games, he scored 219 runs, including one half-century. With stats of 3/25, Raza also demonstrated his ability to turn the tide with the ball in the illustrious victory over Pakistan in Perth. He took 10 wickets during the competition.
Wanindu Hasaranga
In the competition, Sri Lanka's revered spinner once again served as their talisman with the ball, helping them to make some crucial breakthroughs in the middle overs. With 15 wickets in eight games, Hasaranga now holds the tournament record for most wickets taken.
With top figures of 3/8, his wickets came at a fantastic average of 13.26 and a good economy of 6.41.
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