The curtain has been drawn at the Twenty20 World Cup 2022 in Australia with Jos Buttler and his men reigning supreme, beating Pakistan in Sunday's final at Melbourne Cricket Ground. There were a few upsets both in the first round and the Super 12, but the cricket powerhouses eventually established their dominance with all 12 players of the tournament's best XI hailing from the Full Member nations. Here are 12 players who lit up the eighth edition of the 20-over WC with their impressive performances:
Alex Hales (England) – 212 runs at 42.4
Appearing in his first T20 World Cup since 2016, the tall right-hander rediscovered his fluency on the grand stage with a brilliant set of displays.
The big-hitting opener garnered 212 runs at a healthy average of 42.4 to help steer his team to victory in the final.
Hales struck a scintillating 86 not out to guide England to a memorable 10-wicket win against India in the semi-final, with Buttler also hitting a similarly eye-catching 80 not out as his side chased down an imposing target of 169 with relative ease.
Knocks of 52 and 47 against New Zealand and Sri Lanka respectively in crucial Super 12 matches proved equally significant to propel England on their way to becoming the first country to hold both the 50-over World Cup and T20 World Cup titles at the same time.
Jos Buttler (c/wk) (England) – 225 runs at 45, and nine dismissals
England skipper Buttler was in similarly mesmerizing form throughout the competition, scoring 13 runs more than his opening partner at an average of 45.
He led from the front with that fine innings against India in the last four, while an innings of 73 off 47 balls against the Kiwis laid the foundations for the eventual champions.
Virat Kohli (India) – 296 runs at 98.66
Batting at No 3 is Indian superstar Kohli, who ended as the tournament's highest run-scorer after totaling 296 runs at a stunning average of 98.66.
Kohli kickstarted his campaign with a pivotal 82 not out against rivals Pakistan to anchor his side to a heart-thumping final-ball four-wicket victory.
And further knocks of 64 not out against Bangladesh, 62 not out against the Netherlands and 50 against England in the semis rounded off an individual competition to savor for one of the greatest white-ball batters of the modern era.
Suryakumar Yadav (India) – 239 runs at 59.75
Fellow Indian Yadav slots in at No 4 after finishing as the tournament's third-most prolific batter with 239 runs overall.
Three half centuries against the Dutch - 51 not out in Sydney – South Africa – 68 in Perth – and Zimbabwe – 61 not out off just 25 balls in Melbourne – inspired his side into the semi-final as he scored at a staggering strike rate of 189.68 throughout his six innings.
Ben Stokes (England) – 110 runs at 36.66 and 6 wickets at 18.5
Although the Christchurch-born all-rounder did not exactly light the tournament on fire, as he is well capable of, his unbeaten 52 in the final was worth its weight in gold.
Alongside his occasional wicket-taking abilities, Stokes' 42 not out against Sri Lanka in the Super 12 was also extremely handy as England were up against a situation where they had to win to keep their semi hopes alive.
As with the best XIs of other sports and tournaments, the Durham cricketer simply made the roster courtesy his final exploits, which atoned for his T20 World Cup disappointment in 2016.
Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe) – 219 runs at 27.37 and 10 wickets at 15.6
Zimbabwe ace Raza occupy the No 6 position with his 219 runs and 10 wickets, which proved pivotal for Zimbabwe.
He scored a polished 82 off 48 balls in his country's opening game against Ireland in Hobart, before batting contributions against Scotland, Netherlands and India – bolstered by a brilliant three for 25 as Zimbabwe stunned Pakistan in Perth – rounded off a tournament to remember.
Shadab Khan (Pakistan) – 98 runs at 24.5 and 11 wickets at 15
Up next is Pakistan all-rounder Shadab, who grabbed an impressive 11 wickets at an average of just 15.
The skilful leg-spinner bagged three-wicket hauls against Zimbabwe and the Netherlands, while a combined four wickets against South Africa and Bangladesh saw him emerge as one of the tournament's most influential slow bowlers.
He was similarly effective with the bat, striking a solid 92 runs at an average of 24.5 to help fire his side to the final in Melbourne.
All told, the leggie is going from strength to strength in his so far praiseworthy career.
Sam Curran (England) – 13 wickets at 11.38
Younger brother of Tom Curran, also a Surrey all-rounder, and former Zimbabwe cricketer Kevin Curran, Sam lines up at No 8.
England ace Curran was crowned Player of the Tournament after a series of spellbinding bowling displays.
The left-arm seamer claimed remarkable figure of 3 for 12 off his four overs in the grand finale after getting his tournament underway with a similarly scintillating five for 10 against Afghanistan.
Two-wicket displays against Ireland and New Zealand helped him grab a haul of 13 wickets at an average of 11.38 as England claimed the title in style.
Anrich Nortje (South Africa) – 11 wickets at 8.54
Another bowler who starred was pace merchant Nortje, who functioned as a vital weapon in South Africa's armory after finishing with a tournament-best average of just 8.54.
Nortje conceded just 94 runs while in the process of taking his 11 wickets as four scalps against both Bangladesh and Pakistan helped him become one of the competition's most fearsome bowlers.
Although the Proteas eventually bowed out meekly from the Super 12s, right-arm quick Nortje at least played his part exceedingly well.
Haris Rauf – 8 wickets at 22.25
With the exception of the hammering received at the hands of the Proteas, right-arm seamer Rauf had a good tournament.
While coming up with vital wickets, Rauf was also economical giving away just 6.84 runs per over throughout the competition.
He also bowled fast, which was another feature of the fearsome Pakistan pace attack.
Shaheen Shah Afridi (Pakistan) – 11 wickets at 14.09
Afridi, who suffered an unfortunate injury in the final, recorded figures of four for 22 against Bangladesh and three for 14 against South Africa.
The left-arm seamer emulated his new-ball heroics from last year's tournament as Pakistan were narrowly denied in Melbourne.
Many opined that Afridi was not fully matchfit at the beginning of the tournament, but the lanky paceman got better and better as the competition progressed.
12th player: Hardik Pandya (India) – 128 runs at 25.6 and eight wickets at 18.25
Taking his place as 12th man is Indian all-rounder Pandya, who starred with both bat and ball by racking up 128 runs and eight wickets.
The dangerous middle-order batter blasted 63 against England in the semi-final after also taking key wickets against Pakistan, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe throughout the Super 12s.