Former cricketing great and Betway ambassador Kevin Pietersen has picked his best XI from the top performers of the recently concluded ICC T20 World Cup 2021 in the UAE. Despite not being counted among the favourites in cricket betting sites, including Betway, Australia won the tournament after they beat New Zealand by eight wickets in the final on 14 November.
Apart from these two teams, Pakistan and England made it to the semifinals.
Interestingly, Kevin Pietersen has just one Aussie in his T20 World Cup XI which includes Mohammad Rizwan, Jos Buttler, Babar Azam, Charith Asalanka, Aiden Markram, Moeen Ali, Wanindu Hasaranga, Adam Zampa, Trent Boult, Anrich Nortje (South Africa), and Shaheen Afridi.
Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan)
The 29-year-old wicket keeper batsman scored 281 runs in six innings, which included three fifties. Mohammad Rizwan, who opened the batting for Pakistan, had a strike rate of 127.72 in the tournament.
Jos Buttler (England)
The 31-year-old known for clean hitting scored 269 runs in the tournament. The English opener scored an unbeaten century against Sri Lanka. His strike rate is impressive at 151.12.
Babar Azam (Pakistan)
The Pakistan captain led his team from the front scoring 303 runs in six matches. Babar Azam was very consistent, scoring four fifties and had a strike rate of 126.25.
Charith Asalanka (Sri Lanka)
The 24-year-old left hander was Sri Lanka’s top scorer in the tournament with 231 runs in six matches. Charith Asalanka scored a couple of half centuries and a had a strike rate of 147.13.
Aiden Markram (South Africa)
The 27-year-old scored 162 runs in five matches with a strike rate of 145.94. Aiden Markram scored a couple of half centuries in a tournament that did not go well for the South Africans.
Moeen Ali (England)
The bearded England all-rounder took seven wickets with his off spin with a wonderful economy rate of 5.5. With the bat, the southpaw chipped in with a useful half century.
Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka)
The 24-year-old Sri Lankan leggie is the highest wicket taker in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 with 16 scalps at a brilliant economy rate of 5.2. With the bat, he had a half century to his credit, while having an overall strike rate of 148.75.
Adam Zampa (Australia)
Adam Zampa’s wicket-taking ability with his leg spin in the middle overs was one of the major factors behind Australia’s winning the tournament. He took 13 wickets at an economy rate of 5.81. His best bowling performance was 5 for 19 against Bangladesh.
Trent Boult (New Zealand)
Easily among the best bowlers in the game today, Trent Boult captured 13 wickets for the Kiwis in the T20 World Cup 2021, which included some big scalps in the opening spell. Boult came up with superb bowling returns of 3 for 17 in a key match against India. His overall economy rate in the tournament was 6.25.
Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan)
With his pace and height, this left arm bowler was devastating with the new ball. His brilliant new-ball spell against India set the tone for Pakistan in the tournament. However, his dream was ended by Matthew Wade’s sensational cameo during the semi final.
Anrich Nortje (South Africa)
Anrich Nortje took nine wickets in the tournament for South Africa in just the 19.2 overs he bowled. This genuine fast bowler had a wonderful economy rate of 5.37.