Harsha Bhogle picks his team of the 20-20 World Cup, no Indian makes the list

Renowned Indian commentator Harsha Bhogle has picked his team of the 20-20 World Cup. The Super 12 stage of the showpiece event concluded on Monday (November 8). Pakistan, New Zealand, England, and Australia will now battle it out in the semifinals beginning on Wednesday (November 11). 

The tournament saw youngsters like Charith Asalnaka and Aiden Markram sizzle, while a few senior players like Shoaib Malik, Josh Hazlewood, and Jos Buttler also proved their mettle.

The Indian commentator went with Jos Buttler and Babar Azam as openers. The former has scored 240 runs in the tournament, while the latter has 264 runs and is the leading run-scorer so far. Both can play the sheet anchor role and can accelerate when the need arises.

In the middle order, Bhogle has picked Charith Asalanka, Aiden Markram, and Shoaib Malik. Asalanka and Markram have made a statement in the tournament, playing crucial roles in the middle order for their respective teams. Veteran Shoaib Malik has demonstrated his hitting prowess and has given the team a much-needed impetus in the final overs of the innings. 

For the all-rounders, the Indian commentator selected England’s Moeen Ali and Namibia’s David Wiese. The former has bowled well in the power play and middle overs. Ali has also scored briskly lower down the order. On the other hand, Wiese’s contribution was effective in Namibia reaching the Super 12 stage. He ended up scoring 227 runs in 8 games.

 In the bowling department, Bhogle went with one spinner in Wanindu Hasaranga and included three pacers in the form of Anrich Nortje, Josh Hazlewood, and Shaheen Shah Afridi. Sri Lanka leg-spinner Hasaranga is the leading wicket-taker of the tournament with 16 wickets. Nortje, Hazlewood, and Afridi have picked nine, eight, and six wickets respectively.            

What do you make of this as a team of the tournament? (Based purely on performances here). Buttler, Babar, Asalanka, Markram, Malik, Moeen, Wiese, Hasaranga, Nortje, Hazlewood, Afridi? van der Dussen for Asalanka or Malik? Bumrah for Hazlewood?

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 8, 2021