Babar Azam named captain of ICC T20I Team of the Year, no Indian player included

Dubai: Pakistan's Babar Azam has been named as the captain of the ICC Men's T20I Team of the Year, the world cricket governing body announced on Wednesday.

The team includes players from Australia, England, South Africa and Bangladesh.

Pakistan skipper was at his best in the shortest format in 2021, leaving his best at the T20 World Cup where he ended the tournament as the leading run-scorer. Overall, Babar played 29 matches and aggregated 939 runs at an average of 37.56

The ICC Team of the Year recognises eleven outstanding individuals who have impressed one and all, be it with the bat, the ball or their all-round exploits in a calendar year.

England wicket-keeper batter Buttler was in belligerent form throughout the year, scoring 589 runs in 14 matches at 65.44 with one century.

The Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan aggregated a staggering 1326 runs in only 29 matches. He struck at an average of 73.66 and a strike-rate of 134.89.

Aiden Makram from South Africa notched up 570 runs at 43.84 with six half-centuries, striking at 148.82 in 18 matches. He also proved to be a handy part-time spin bowling option, chipping in with 5 wickets.

Mitchell Marsh, Australian batting allrounder has scored 627 runs in 21 matches at 36.88 and also chipped in with 8 wickets.

Proteas finisher David Miller has played 17 matches, scoring 377 runs at 47.12 with two half-centuries. He also scored at a brisk pace, striking at 149.60.

The year 2021 was a breakthrough year for Sri Lankan bowler Wanindu Hasaranga, who established himself as one of the best spinners in the shortest format. He claimed 36 wickets in 20 matches at 11.63, while also scoring 196 runs.

Tabrez Shamsi from South Africa, who is no.1 ranked T20I bowler in the world, showcased his class as he scalped 36 wickets at an average of 13.36 and economy of 5.72 in 22 matches.

Josh Hazlewood picked up 23 wickets at an average of 16.34 and an economy of 6.87 in 15 games. The Bangladesh left-arm seamer Mustafizur Rahman has 28 wickets in 20 matches at an average of 17.39 to his name.

Pakistan pace sensation Shaheen Afridi picked up 23 wickets in 21 matches at an average of 26.04 and an economy of 7.86.

ICC T20 Team of the year: Jos Buttler, Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam (c), Aiden Markram , Mitchell Marsh, David Miller, Wanindu Hasaranga, Tabraiz Shamsi, Josh Hazlewood, Mustafizur Rahman, Shaheen Afridi. (UNI)