The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday (December 29) announced the four nominees for the 2021 edition of the ICC Men’s T20I Player of the Year.
England star Jos Buttler, Australia all-rounder Mitchell Marsh and Pakistan wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan were shortlisted for the honour alongside Sri Lanka spinner Wanindu Hasaranga.
"Two brilliant wicketkeeper-batters and two all-rounders constitute our nominees for the 2021 ICC Men's T20I Player of the Year awards. Here, we take a look at their memorable performances and celebrate their achievements," ICC said in an official release.
Rizwan dominated the shortest format of the game in 2021, amassing a staggering 1326 runs in 29 matches at an average of 73.66 and a strike rate of 134.89.
Apart from his exploits with the bat, he was as solid as ever behind the stumps, playing a key role in Pakistan’s run to the semis during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021, where he ended up as the third-highest run-scorer.
He also scored the maiden T20I century of his career against South Africa in Lahore early in the year and ended it by continuing his form with a brilliant knock of 87 against the West Indies in Karachi.
It was a breakthrough year for Wanindu Hasaranga, who established himself as one of the best spinners in the shortest format while also being a player who could contribute with the bat. He finished the year with 36 wickets in 20 matches at 11.63 and 196 runs with one half-century.
Hasaranga also proved his mettle in the T20 World Cup 2021, ending the showpiece event as the leading wicket-taker with 16 scalps and also played some handy knocks with the bat, like his 71 against Ireland.
Hasaranga’s most memorable performance came against South Africa in the T20 World Cup as he claimed a hat-trick by taking the wickets of Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma and Dwaine Pretorius.
Throughout the calendar year, Mitchell Marsh was Australia’s best batter in the shortest format, scoring 627 runs in 27 matches at 36.88. He also took 8 wickets at an average of 18.37.
He also a key role in Australia’s ICC T20 World Cup 2021 triumph, amassing 185 runs in 6 matches at an average of 61.66 and a healthy strike rate of 146.82. He reserve his best for the last, playing a match-winning knock in the final against New Zealand.
Riding on Marsh’s unbeaten 77 off 50 deliveries, Australia chased down New Zealand’s target of 173 with seven balls to spare to lift the T20 World Cup 2021 title.
England’s Jos Buttler too had a dominating year with the bat, aggregating 589 runs in 14 matches at an average of 65.44 with one century. The wicketkeeper-batter was also involved in 13 dismissals.
Buttler started the year off brilliantly with two blistering knocks against India away from home. He would continue this run in the subsequent series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, despite not playing all the matches. This boded well for England as their key batter was in sublime touch heading into the T20 World Cup.
He did not disappoint in the tournament, always getting his side off to brilliant starts. His two best knocks came in consecutive matches first against age-old rivals Australia and then against Sri Lanka, who faced his full wrath.
He ended the tournament as England’s leading run-scorer with 269 runs, as their run would be ended by New Zealand in the semi-finals in a nail-biting thriller.
(With ICC inputs)
