NEWS
Follow UsThe vice-captain of the Indian women's team in the shortest format of the game, Smriti Mandhana, was on Wednesday named in the ICC T20 women's Team of the Year for her consistent performance in the 2021 season.
The southpaw was the leading run-scorer for the Indian side in T20Is, with 255 runs in nine innings at an average of 31.87 and a strike rate of 131.4, including two vital half-centuries.
Natalie Sciver will be at the helm of affairs of this side, with Tammy Beaumont slotted to open the batting with Mandhana. The right-handed batter has been sublime form and amassed 303 runs in nine matches at an average of 33.66, including three fifties.
One of the standout performers in the 2021 season, Sciver produced impactful performances and shouldered the responsibility of the side in the middle-order.
The 29-year old smashed 153 runs and scalped ten wickets to help England record famous wins. The team also consists of England wicketkeeper Amy Jones and Danni Wyatt.
The number one ranked bowler in this format, Sophie Ecclestone, has also been included along with the South African trio of Laura Wolvaardt, Shabnim Ismail and Marizanne Kapp.
On the other hand, there was no Indian representation in ICC Men's T20I Team of the Year 2021.
The team comprises of three players from the Pakistan side, with Babar Azam being named the captain. The right-handed batter will have the services of Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Afridi in the side.
Pakistan was the only team to progress to the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup unbeaten, and the trio played a crucial role in helping the side achieve this feat.
All-rounder Mitchell Marsh and pacer Josh Hazelwood, who played a vital role in winning Australia's maiden T20 World Cup title, featured in the team while the trio of South Africans Aiden Markram, David Miller and Tabraiz Shamsi also made it to the playing XI.
Flamboyant wicketkeeper batter Jos Buttler was the sole member of the England team in the ICC side.
Teams:
Women: Smriti Mandhana (India), Tammy Beaumont (England), Danni Wyatt (England), Gaby Lewis (Ireland), Nat Sciver (c) (England), Amy Jones (England), Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa), Marizanne Kapp (South Africa), Sophie Ecclestone (England), Loryn Phiri (Zimbabwe), Shabnim Ismail (South Africa).
Men: Jos Buttler (England), Mohammad Rizwan (Paksitan), Babar Azam (c) (Pakistan), Aiden Markram (South Africa) , Mitchell Marsh (Australia), David Miller (South Africa), Tabraiz Shamsi (South Africa), Josh Hazlewood (Australia), Wanindu Hasanranga (Sri Lanka), Mustafizur Rahaman (Bangladesh, Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan).
(With inputs from PTI)