Numerous cricketers have put in jaw-dropping performances for their nation in the ongoing T20 WC, some more than others. 9 most consistent match-winners made it to the shortlist issued by International Cricket Council (ICC) and one of them will be declared as PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT for the T20 WC 2022 based on public votes.
Fans can vote for their favorite player from the pool through official website of the International Cricket Council.
T20 WC 2022: Player of The Tournament nominations
1. Suryakumar Yadav
The 32-year-old right hander was without a doubt the most destructive batsman in the tournament. Reminding fans of ABD, Suryakumar carted the ball to all parts of the grounds and left no breathing space for the bowlers.
Surya made 239 runs off 6 innings at a strike-rate of almost 190 and became the Top-ranked T20I batsman in the process.
2. Virat Kohli
King Kohli roared back to form just in time for the 2022 T20 WC and now finds himself amongst the front runners to win Player of The Tournament award.
He set the tone for Team India by playing the knock of his career (82* off 54) vs Pakistan and then followed it up with 3 more fifties in the tournament. In 6 matches, Kohli notched up 296 runs at an incredible average of 98.66.
3. Shadab Khan
Electric in the field, shrewd with the ball and dangerous with the bat– Shadab Khan has come out as the trump card for the Men in Green.
Pakistan vice-captain has taken 10 scalps off 6 matches an a miserly rate of 6.5 runs per over. Shadab also played a 52 run blitzkrieg against South Africa, playing a huge part in Pakistan’s epic turnaround.
4. Shaheen Afridi
One more Pakistani on the list, Shaheen started off the tournament looking out of sorts. He failed to get a single wicket in his first 2 matches.
Regardless, the left-armer found his rhythm later on and has taken 10 wickets in his last four matches, at an average of 14.20 and economy of 6.17. Shaheen’s most sensational performance came against RSA, where he took 3 for 14.
5. Jos Buttler
England skipper played a huge role in the Three Lions’ road to the 2022 T20 WC final and hence finds himself on the shortlist of 9 players nominated for Player of The Tournament.
Buttler’s best came against Team India during November 10 semi-final, where he scored a destructive 80 not-out off just 49 deliveries. In total, Jos Buttler has scored 199 runs off 5 innings in the event. He also has 8 dismissals to his name as England’s designated wicket-keeper.
6. Sam Curran
If there is one bowler who maximised the skewed dimensions of the Australian grounds to his benefit, it is Sam Curran.
In 5 matches thus far, the baby-faced killer has struck on 10 occasions at an average of just 13.60 runs per dismissal. The solitary 5-wicket haul of the Cup came in the form of Curran’s 5 for 10 against Nabi and co.
If he manages to have an effective outing in the T20 WC 2022 final, England should have their hands on the coveted trophy, and Sam Curran on Player of The Tournament award.
7. Wanindu Hasaranga
One of the only 2 players who make the shortlist issued by ICC despite not even qualifying for the knockouts is Wanindu Hasaranga.
The ace spinner from Sri Lanka was the shining light in the former champion’s dark campaign. He currently leads the bowling charts with 15 wickets off 8 games to his name.
Unless Shaheen, Shadab or Sam Curran take a 6-wicket haul in the last match of the tournament, Wanindu should end up as the most successful bowler of T20 WC 2022.
8. Alex Hales
Hales (211 runs) has outscored his captain Jos Buttler in tournament while also batting at a better SR (148.59) than him, and that in itself tells the tale.
Mr. Hales was not a part of England’s plans even after Jason Roy’s poor run, as Salt made it to the squad ahead of him. But thanks to Bairstow’s freak injury at golf-course, we got to see the Kookaburra land outside the stadium off Hales’ trademark golf-swings.
9. Sikandar Raza
Last nominee for Player of The Tournament at the 2022 T20 WC, Sikandar Raza was on a planet of his own.
The 36-year-old spin bowling all-rounder chipped in with 219 runs with the bat, playing several cameos and scoring one fifty off 8 matches. Sikandar Raza also took 10 wickets through his mystery spin and his best bowling figures (3 for 22) helped ZIM outwit Pakistan, almost throwing them out of the race for semi-finals.
Sikandar’s aggression and Dale Steyn-esque celebrations were icing on the cake.
