Babar Azam named captain of ICC’s Most Valuable Team of the Tournament

Dubai: After leading Pakistan brilliantly in ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021, Babar Azam was named the skipper of ICC's Most Valuable Team of the Tournament.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the Official Men's T20 World Cup Upstox Most Valuable Team of the Tournament after Australia won the maiden T20 World Cup title.

The cricket governing body has selected the players on the basis of their brilliant performances in the mega event. This is for the first time that no Indian cricketer is included in the squad announced by the cricket governing body.

Players from champions Australia, runners-up New Zealand, England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and South Africa feature in ICC's team of the tournament.

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.

While commenting on the team, Ian Bishop said that this team was incredibly difficult to select over such a highly competitive tournament and the 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

Shaheen Afridi – seven wickets at 24.14