Harsha Bhogle names his team for the T20 World Cup 2021, consisting of 3 Pakistanis
Cricket Desk: Indian commentator Harsha Bhogle selected his team of the tournament for the T20 World Cup, which Australia won on November 14th by beating New Zealand in a decisive duel. Bhogle chose three players from Pakistan, two each from England, South Africa, Sri Lanka and one from Namibia, without any Indian making room.
He selected the Pakistani skipper Babar Azam to open alongside the Englishman Jos Buttler, who was preferred due to his X-factor in a "shootout" with Mohammad Rizwan. In the middle class, Charith Asalanka from Sri Lanka landed in third place, followed by South Africa's Aiden Markram, Pakistan's Shoaib Malik, while Bhogle chose three all-rounders with Englishman Moeen Ali, Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga and the single player from a partner Nation in his XI, Namibia's David Wiese.
"This is for performances through to the semi-finals so there is a level playing field for everyone," Bhogle told Cricbuzz. “Number one is the easiest choice, Babar Azam. He would be the first choice in every team. "
“Jos Buttler was the executor at the top. It was a direct shootout between Mohammad Rizwan and Buttler, but Buttler's game had that added X-factor, ”argued Bhogle. He praised Asalanka for his brilliant 3rd place performances, which were enough for him to take that place ahead of everyone else.
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“A very good batsman from Sri Lanka, I'm looking forward to seeing him a lot more. Charith Asalanka is one of the reasons why Sri Lanka could be seen as the team of tomorrow at this tournament. In 4th place, the toughest batting position in T20 cricket, and Aiden Markram simply had it. The way he played those big, bold strokes was a revelation. Bhogle chose Shoaib Malik based on his finishing skills demonstrated for Pakistan during the tournament. “I don't have to look long for 6th place. Moeen Ali is wonderfully versatile and an easy choice on site."
Bhogle opted for a menacing tempo attack, using Pakistani pacemaker Shaheen Afridi alongside Australian Josh Hazlewood and South African fast Anrich Nortje.
Harsha Bhogle's team of the tournament: Babar Azam, Jos Buttler, Charith Asalanka, Aiden Markram, Shoaib Malik, Moeen Ali, Wanindu Hasaranga, David Wiese, Shaheen Afridi, Josh Hazlewood, Anrich Nortje.