The International Cricket Council (ICC) formed its best T20I team from the matches that happened last year in 2021. Interestingly, they did not pick even one player from the Indian cricket team. 2021 was a grand year for T20 international cricket as the T20 World Cup happened for the first time in five years.
Australia emerged as the champions of the 2021 edition of the ICC T20 World Cup. However, only two players from that World Cup-winning team made it to the best T20I XI of 2021. The two openers of the team are both wicket-keepers. The International Cricket Council selected the all right-handed duo of Mohammad Rizwan and Jos Buttler. Both players were in sublime touch in the shortest format of the game last year.
Pakistan cricket team captain Babar Azam will lead the team, while South Africa’s top-order batter Aiden Markram will bat with him in the Top 4. The first all-rounder of the team is Mitchell Marsh, who made a huge impact while playing at the number three position for the Australian cricket team. Marsh will bat at number five for this team, with South Africa’s star finisher David Miller right behind him at number six.
ICC pick 2 wrist-spinners in best T20I team of 2021
The team ends with five bowling options – two wrist-spinners and three fast bowlers. ICC preferred Wanindu Hasaranga and Tabraiz Shamsi as the two spinners, while the three fast bowlers of the team were Mustafizur Rahman, Josh Hazlewood and Shaheen Shah Afridi. Two left-arm fast bowlers accompanied by one right-arm fast bowler.
Here’s a look at the full ICC T20I XI of the year.
ICC Best T20I XI of 2021: Jos Buttler, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Babar Azam (c), Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, David Miller, Tabraiz Shamsi, Josh Hazlewood, Wanindu Hasaranga, Mustafizur Rahman, Shaheen Afridi
