The T20 format has been one of the most popular ones since its debut in 2003. With the advent of the first ICC T20 World Cup in 2007, which India won; the format took a new form as T20 leagues mushroomed all over the world.
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Apart from India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have also won the T20 World Cup in 2009 and 2014 respectively and these powerhouse teams of the Asian continent have been dominating the format, giving the likes of England, West Indies and Australia a run for their money. This is why today, Team COC presents to you the Best Current Asia T20I XI, featuring the top stars from this cricket crazy continent.
Rohit Sharma and Babar Azam are the openers for this Best Asia T20I XI. Rohit is the second most run-getter in the format with 2773 runs to his name in 108 matches. He also has 4 centuries to his name which includes the joint-fastest T20I ton in 35 balls. He has also scored 21 half-centuries and given his brilliant leadership skills, he will also be the captain of this side.
Babar Azam has been touted the next big thing from Pakistan and has held his own in the slam-bang version of the game. He debuted in 2016 and in 38 matches, scored 1471 runs at an average of 50.97 and the best score of 97*. His ability to score at a good strike rate without taking many risks is what makes him special.
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Virat Kohli is, without doubt, the best all-format batsman in the world today. He is the leading scorer in T20I format with 2794 runs in 82 matches at an average of 50.80 and the best score of 94*. He has 24 half-centuries to his name and has won India some matches from the brink of defeat, thanks to his superb pacing of innings.
KL Rahul and Shoaib Malik will be the middle order batsmen in the team with Rahul also keeping wickets. Rahul has 1461 runs in 42 matches with two centuries to his name and the best score of 110*. He averages 45.65 and has an impressive strike rate of 146.10, which makes him an immediate inclusion in the team.
Shoaib Malik is the veteran and finisher in this team. The first player to play 100 T20I matches, Malik has 2321 runs from 113 games at an average of 31.36 and a strike rate of 124.18. You can always count on Malik to save the team from a spot of bother and take them past the finishing line without much fuss.
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Shakib-Al-Hasan is the lone Bangladeshi inclusion in this team thanks to his reputation as the leading all-rounder in the format. He has 1567 runs and 92 wickets in 76 T20I matches, with 9 half-centuries and a best bowling of 5/20. He warrants a place in any T20I XI thanks to his super abilities with the bat and the ball.
The Afghanistan duo of Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan will partner Shakib in the spin department and Nabi will also be the finisher of the team along with Malik. Nabi has 1347 runs from 78 T20Is and 69 wickets as well. He can tonk the ball out of the ground with ease and is an excellent bowler in power plays.
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Rashid Khan is the best leg-spinner in the world today in the format with 89 wickets from just 49 matches including the best figures of 5/3, which came with four wickets in four balls, against Ireland. He has shown a tendency to hit a few sixes in T20 leagues and might come handy lower down the order.
Next, come in the fast bowling arsenal and who better than Mohammad Amir and two of the best T20 bowlers in history in Jasprit Bumrah and legend Lasith Malinga.
Amir has 59 wickets in just 49 matches with the best of 4/13 and his extra pace and ability to swing the ball makes him an asset to have at the start. Bumrah, on the other hand, has made a name for himself transitioning from the IPL to the Indian team in the T20I format with ease and has 59 wickets from 50 matches.
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His mentor at the Mumbai Indians Lasith Malinga is the leading wicket-taker in T20Is with 107 scalps to his name in 84 matches. He has two five-wicket hauls with a best of 5/6. He is the experience and guidance that is required to lead the bowling attack.
As for the 12th man, all-rounder Hardik Pandya will be the perfect choice given his achievements with the bat and the ball for the Men in Blue.
Current best Asia T20I XI:
Rohit Sharma (C-IND), Babar Azam (PAK), Virat Kohli (IND), KL Rahul (WK-IND), Shoaib Malik (PAK), Mohammad Nabi (AFG), Shakib-Al-Hasan (BAN), Rashid Khan (AFG), Mohammad Amir (PAK), Lasith Malinga (SL), Jasprit Bumrah (IND), Hardik Pandya (12th man- IND)
