☰

T20 World Cup: Two Pakistan players named in Team of the Tournament

England won the trophy by defeating Pakistan in the final

By Web Desk

November 14, 2022

Pakistan team celebrates during a T20 World Cup match — AFP

KARACHI: Pakistan’s all-rounder Shadab Khan and pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi have been named in the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 Team of the Tournament.

According to a press release issued by the ICC, four players from England and two from India also make the team, with South Africa, Zimbabwe and New Zealand all represented.

Shadab impressed in all departments of the game during the tournament, which concluded with Pakistan losing to England in the final on Sunday.

“Pakistan’s spin-bowling all-rounder [Shadab Khan] was superb in all facets of the game. In the field he set the standard for this team, and with the bat he scored fast down the order, with his 98 runs coming at a strike rate of 168.96,” the ICC stated.

“But it was with the ball where Shadab Khan truly excelled. He took 11 wickets at an average of 15, with his economy rate of 6.34 keeping things tight for Pakistan through the middle overs,” it added.

Despite walking off the field due to a knee injury in the final, Shaheen was a force to reckon with during the World Cup.

“Fitness concerns saw Shaheen Shah Afridi ease himself into the tournament, and a setback in the final forced him to be unable to bowl his final two overs of the competition in unfortunate circumstances,” the press release reads.

“But the Pakistan strike bowler stepped up when his team needed him to as the tournament got to its crunch point. His removal of Finn Allen set the tone in a brilliant opening spell against New Zealand in the semi-final, and a trademark inswinger did for Alex Hales in the first over of the final. There is no bowler in the world right now that you’d rather have taking that new ball in a T20 International,” it added.