KEY POINTS
- Sahibzada Farhan amassed 383 runs, a new single-edition World Cup record, including two centuries.
- India’s Sanju Samson scored three consecutive 80+ knocks (semi-final and final) to power India to glory.
- ICC XI features six genuine all-rounders, including Hardik Pandya, Will Jacks, and Jason Holder.
- Jasprit Bumrah finished as joint-highest wicket-taker and claimed 4/15 in the final to seal the Player of the Match award.
ISLAMABAD: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday unveiled its official Team of the Tournament for the T20 World Cup 2026, recognising the standout performers from a thrilling competition that saw India crowned champions on home soil.
The prestigious XI was selected by a distinguished panel of experts, comprising West Indies great Ian Bishop, former England captain Eoin Morgan, coach-turned-commentator Natalie Germanos, ICC representative Gaurav Saxena, and senior Sri Lankan sports journalist Rex Clementine.
Farhan shines despite Pakistan’s early exit
Despite Pakistan’s inconsistent campaign, which ended in the Super Eight phase, opener Sahibzada Farhan emerged as a beacon of consistency.
The 29-year-old’s remarkable tally of 383 runs across seven matches set a new record for the most runs by a batter in a single edition of the T20 World Cup.
Farhan also etched his name in the history books by becoming the first player to score two centuries in one T20 World Cup.
His magnificent hundred against Sri Lanka in the final Super Eight fixture proved the cornerstone of a crucial five-run victory for his side, ensuring Pakistan departed the tournament on a high note.
Four players from India’s #T20WorldCup 2026 winning team have made it to the Team of the Tournament 🤩
All the players named in the TOTT ➡️ https://t.co/b4x8qMPUL1 pic.twitter.com/QfgRganrUK
— ICC (@ICC) March 9, 2026
Samson’s spectacular comeback earns player of tournament honours
Sanju Samson proved instrumental in India’s triumphant campaign and was deservedly named Player of the Tournament.
Initially unable to break into the star-studded Indian starting XI, the right-hander seized his opportunity spectacularly when it mattered most.
Samson ignited his run spree with a blistering, unbeaten 97 against the West Indies in a virtual knockout Super Eight clash.
He maintained his sublime form with 89 against England in the semi-final and followed it up with another crucial 89 in the final against New Zealand.
In doing so, he became only the third batter to register half-centuries in both the semi-final and final of a T20 World Cup, and just the second to notch three consecutive scores of 80 or more in the tournament’s history.
Kishan completes India’s explosive opening pair
Ishan Kishan made a powerful impact with his relentless aggression at the top of the order, forming a formidable opening partnership alongside Farhan in the ICC XI.
His three half-centuries were standout contributions, but he also provided vital quick-fire knocks of 38 against Zimbabwe and 39 against England.
His finest performance came against arch-rivals Pakistan. After India lost an early wicket while batting first, Kishan took charge with a breathtaking 77 off just 40 balls, an innings laced with ten fours and three sixes.
Having spent two years on the sidelines, Kishan’s redemption arc was complete as he contributed a vital 54 and took two crucial catches in the final.
Markram leads South Africa with distinction
Aiden Markram has been named captain of the ICC Team of the Tournament after leading South Africa admirably as they won their first seven matches.
Opening the batting, he never shied from responsibility, scoring three half-centuries.
The South African skipper was particularly effective in Ahmedabad, hitting an unbeaten 86 in a key group-stage victory over New Zealand and another unbeaten 82 against the West Indies in the Super Eights.
In the match against India, Markram also led with the ball, providing the crucial breakthrough by dismissing Kishan in his very first over.
Although the Proteas fell short in the semi-final, Markram’s captaincy and handling of a talented bowling attack were highly impressive throughout.
Pandya’s all-round brilliance continues
For several years, Hardik Pandya has been pivotal to India’s success with his ability to change a game with either bat or ball.
He continued that rich vein of form at the World Cup, amassing 217 runs and claiming nine wickets.
Pandya scored two half-centuries, the second being a whirlwind 50 off just 23 balls against Zimbabwe, powering India to 256 for 4 – the highest team total of the 2026 tournament and just four runs short of the all-time T20 World Cup record.
With the ball, his best figures of 2 for 16 came in three crucial overs against Pakistan, where he removed the opposition’s biggest threat, Farhan, for a duck.
Jacks announces himself on global stage
The tournament served as a breakout moment for England’s Will Jacks, who established himself as one of the premier all-rounders on show. Having dropped down the order, Jacks perfected the role of finisher.
His best score was an unbeaten 53 against Italy, but he also played a vital cameo against India and struck an unbeaten 32 against New Zealand to guide his team to an unlikely victory in the final Super Eight match.
The off-spinner also registered a three-wicket haul in the Super Eight clash against Sri Lanka.
Jacks’s four Player of the Match awards drew him level with Shane Watson for the most such honours at a T20 World Cup.
Holder’s power-hitting and pace impress
A fearsome fast bowler and a powerful lower-order hitter, Jason Holder was one of the stars of the tournament.
His all-round prowess was on full display in the Super Eight clash against India, where he took 2 for 38 and scored a crucial 37 not out from 22 balls.
The 6’7″ pacer used his height to extract bounce on even the flattest tracks and ran riot against Nepal at the Wankhede Stadium, claiming 4 for 27 to set up a dominant nine-wicket win.
Bumrah: The difference-maker
While India’s batting line-up is formidable, it is Jasprit Bumrah who elevates the team above the rest. At the 2026 World Cup, he finished as the joint highest wicket-taker alongside teammate Varun Chakaravarthy.
Bumrah saved his best for last, claiming 4 for 15 in the final against New Zealand to earn the Player of the Match award.
Beyond just taking timely wickets, it is his ability to disrupt an opponent’s batting rhythm that sets him apart.
During the semi-final against England, his 18th over, which conceded only six runs, proved pivotal in a match decided by just seven runs.
Ngidi’s economy proves vital
Lungi Ngidi was one of the tournament’s premier fast bowlers. He began with impressive figures of 4 for 31 against Canada and added two more three-wicket hauls.
Against India, he may have gone wicketless, but his four-over spell, conceding just 15 runs, was crucial in helping South Africa contain India’s formidable batting line-up on a batter-friendly pitch.
Rashid provides spin threat
Adil Rashid is the only specialist spinner selected in the team. He used the conditions astutely, particularly in Sri Lanka, to help England win six of their first seven matches.
While his best figures were 3 for 36 against Scotland, Rashid played a pivotal role in the Super Eight victories over Sri Lanka and New Zealand, engineering a home-team collapse with figures of 2 for 13 against the former.
Muzarabani inspires Zimbabwe’s dream run
Blessing Muzarabani was central to Zimbabwe’s dream run. After missing the 2024 edition, Zimbabwe produced their best-ever performance, reaching the Super Eights.
They announced their arrival with a 23-run victory over Australia, a match in which Muzarabani claimed superb figures of 4 for 17, dismissing the Aussies for 146.
In the group stage, the pacer took nine wickets in just three matches as his team finished top of Group B.
Netravalkar named 12th man
USA’s Saurabh Netravalkar was named the 12th man after being arguably the best bowler of the group stage.
Although the USA could not replicate their 2024 heroics and progress to the Super Eights, Netravalkar was in a league of his own.
He began with a four-wicket haul against India and followed it up with identical figures of 4 for 25 against Pakistan.
ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Team of the Tournament
Sahibzada Farhan, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson (wk), Aiden Markram (c), Hardik Pandya, Will Jacks, Jason Holder, Adil Rashid, Jasprit Bumrah, Lungi Ngidi, Blessing Muzarabani. 12th man: Saurabh Netravalkar
