The International Cricket Council (ICC) on March 6 announced the nominees for ‘Player of the tournament’. As many as eight players are contenders for the prestigious award. However, India’s pace-bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah doesn’t find him on the list.
Ahead of the final at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, here is the list of contenders --
Will Jacks
England all-rounder Will Jacks has batted out of position, performed with the ball and played a huge role in guiding them to the semifinals. He scored 226 runs, no other batter at no.6 or lower position as more runs in a single T20 World Cup edition, that too at a strike rate of 176.56. The only such batter that comes close is former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq who scored 218 runs in the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup. In addition, he claimed nine wickets as well. He was named 'Player of the match' four times. In the semifinal, he got the prized wickets of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson.
Sahibzada Farhan
Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan carried an out-of-form batting lineup on his back. Farhan scored 383 runs from seven innings at an average of 76.60 and strike rate of 160.25. He ended up breaking India’s Virat Kohli’s record for most runs in a single T20 World Cup edition. He also scored two centuries in the tournament.
ALSO READ: Navjot Singh Sidhu slams 'dhongi baba' Mohammad Amir for predicting India won't reach final
Lungi Ngidi
South Africa pacer Ngidi was their leading wicket-taker in the tournament. He claimed 12 wickets from seven games at an average of 15.58. His economy rate was 7.19 runs per over. His slower balls troubled batters throughout the tournament. He credited former West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo for helping him evolve in the fast-paced format. Against India, he conceded just 15 runs from his quota of four overs.
Aiden Markram
Another South African on the list is their skipper Aiden Markram. He led the team from the front with scintillating unbeaten 86-run knocks against New Zealand and West Indies. Markram scored 286 runs from eight innings at an average of 47.66 and strike rate of 165.31. His only wicket was that of Ishan Kishan in the Super 8 clash against India.
Rachin Ravindra
Not too potent with the bat, New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra has been exceptional with the ball. From six times captain Mitchell Santner has trusted him, the left-arm spinner has bagged 11 wickets at an average of 10.63. His economy rate is only 6.88 runs per over. With the bat, he has contributed with 128 runs.
Shadley van Schalkwyk
USA pacer Shadley van Schalkwyk has been a revelation in this tournament. USA were knocked out of the tournament at the group stage but their 37-year-old pacer is still the leading joint highest wicket-taker alongside Zimbabwe's Blessing Muzarabani, England's Adil Rashid and India's Varun Chakravarthy. Shadley claimed 13 wickets from just four games at an average of 7.76. His economy rate is 6.80 runs per over. He claimed a four-fer each against India and Pakistan.
Tim Seifert
While Finn Allen scored a sensational unbeaten 33-ball century in the semifinal, his opening partner Tim Seifert has been a consistent performer for the BlackCaps. Seifert has scored 274 runs from seven innings at an average of 45.66 and strike rate of 161.17, including three fifties. Seifert scored a half-century against South Africa in the semifinal, setting up the run chase alongside Allen.
Sanju Samson
Joined the party late but Sanju Samson has proved his mettle in the knockout fixtures. He filled in for an unwell Abhishek Sharma against Namibia and contributed with a cameo. As India’s off-spin issues were exposed, he was roped back in for Zimbabwe clash and played a useful cameo. In the virtual quarterfinal, he scored an unbeaten 97 in the run chase against West Indies. On March 5, he scored 89 runs against England, helping India post big. From four innings, he has scored 232 runs at an average of 77.33 and strike rate of 201.73.