As the T20 World Cup nears its end with the grand final in Dubai Sunday, we take a look at five rising stars who shone brightly for their respective sides in the seventh edition of the tournament.
Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka)
The highly-rated Sri Lankan all-rounder had a superb tournament overall as he made great impact with the ball and also played a couple of handy innings with the bat. Hasaranga took 16 wickets in this edition of the T20 World Cup, which is a record as he leapfrogged fellow countryman Ajantha Mendis (15 wickets in 2012) as the highest wicket taker in a single edition.
Hasaranga’s 16-wicket haul came in eight matches and the most impressive part is he took these wickets with an economy rate of 5.2 per over and with a strike rate of 11.2. He also scored 119 runs from five innings with a strike rate of 148.75. Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka rightly said Hasaranga “is a gem, and a superstar in the making”.
Aiden Markram (South Africa)
Markram had a brilliant T20 World Cup with the willow as the Proteas batsman scored 162 runs in five innings with an impressive average of 54. Markram usually opens the innings for South Africa in Tests and ODIs but in T20Is he was given a new role as a middle-order batsman and he has done his job quite well in this T20 World Cup. His 162 runs came at an impressive strike rate of 145.94.
Just look at his bowling stats in the first seven games starting from the qualifiers: 1/19 against Bangladesh, 1/23 against Papua New Guinea, 1/23 against Oman, 1/23 against Afghanistan, 1/22 against Namibia, 1/13 against New Zealand and 1/20 against India. He bowled 30 overs in the tournament and conceded 184 runs at an economy rate of 6.13, taking seven wickets. That’s a brilliant bowling figure overall in T20Is and surely Watt was a rising star in this edition.
Charith Asalanka (Sri Lanka)
Sri Lanka have found another exciting prospect in their top-order as Asalanka scored heavily in the T20 World Cup. Asalanka scored 231 runs from six innings with a highest score of unbeaten 80 that came against Bangladesh while chasing 172 at Sharjah which earned him the player of the match award.
The No 3 batsmen has all kinds of shots in his batting armory and he scored his 231 runs at an average of 46.2 and impressive strike rate of 147.13. The left-hander utilized his opportunity with the Sri Lanka side as he just made his debut prior to the T20 World Cup a few months ago. And he showed his talent in the world event with brilliant batting at a key position.
Mark Watt (Scotland)
Scotland’s Watt had a tournament to remember as the left hand orthodox spinner bowled with superb control and economy rate, starting from the qualifiers and until the last match of the Super 12 stage. Only in the last Super 12 game against Pakistan did he get hammered as he conceded 41 runs. But in the other seven games he was outstanding.
Just look at his bowling stats in the first seven games starting from the qualifiers: 1/19 against Bangladesh, 1/23 against Papua New Guinea, 1/23 against Oman, 1/23 against Afghanistan, 1/22 against Namibia, 1/13 against New Zealand and 1/20 against India. He bowled 30 overs in the tournament and conceded 184 runs at an economy rate of 6.13, taking seven wickets. That’s a brilliant bowling figure overall in T20Is and surely Watt was a rising star in this edition.
Anrich Nortje (South Africa)
South Africa already have a world class fast bowler in their rank in Kagiso Rabada. Now it looks like another superstar has arrived in the shape of Nortje. The tall right-arm fast bowler is super quick and accurate with his high-arm action. He often clocks 150km/h in the T20 games which gives him extra edge over the opponent batsmen. Nortje bowled quick in this T20 World Cup and crossed the 150km/h mark on quite a few occasions.
The pacer took nine wickets from five games in the tournament and bowled impressively in every match. The most impressive part was his economy rate which was just 5.37. He had a very good season in the IPL with Delhi Capitals and he carried his form into this T20 World Cup as well.