The seventh edition of the ICC T20 World Cup is all set to kick start on October 18. Owing to the ongoing pandemic, the tournament had to be postponed. But with the World Cup on cards, the excitement and anticipation of the fans have already reached a crescendo. There has been constant chatter about the team combinations as well and that is further adding to the entire setting.
The shorter format of the game tests the abilities of the players all the time. In the T20 format, the fortune of the game changes within no time, and thus every player has a big role to play. When it comes to finishing off the game, the players have to back themselves with extreme self-belief. Finishing the game for the team is one of the most herculean tasks. The asking rate, wickets in hand, and the overs remaining all need to be calculated well to take the side past victory.
The games that go to the final overs seem to grab the attention of the on-lookers. And in T20 cricket, it is not a rare sight. But in a mega event like that of the World Cup, the players are tested big time and that is when their flair comes to the fore. Despite all the challenges the finishing roles bring in, the format is not short on finishers. Ahead of the T20 World Cup, let’s have a look at the finishers of the top eight teams in the tournament.
Here are the finishers of the top 8 teams in the T20 World Cup
8. Pakistan
The primary goal for the Pakistan side is to seal their holes in the middle-order batting of the side. Their batting down the order misses big hitters and that is a huge concern for Pakistan. The top order of the side is held strong with the likes of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan but they seem to struggle with finishers.
With big hits mandatory in T20 cricket, their performances are comparatively below the par. Shadab Khan has played 53 T20I matches and has scored 226 runs and scalped 58 wickets. He is one of the most important bowlers on the team, and his batting has also improved lately. His attacking batting will be crucial for the team in crunch moments to finish off things. Playing in the PSL, he has scored those quick runs and the team will pin their hopes on him for delivering down the order.
However, Azam Khan can solve the middle-order woes of the side. He was called up to the Pakistan T20I side for the England series, after his impressive performances in PSL and the National T20 Cup in 2020. Azam is a good striker of the ball who takes on spin and pace with equal ease. Thus, it would be interesting to watch what he has under his sleeves to portray.
7. Bangladesh
Bangladesh would have their spirits high after having won the T20I series against Australia. They registered their first-ever bilateral series victory over the mighty Aussies. Though the team outplayed the visitors their batting did not look very impressive as they quite struggled to build partnerships. They have long struggled to find a finisher for the side as well.
About batting down the order, Mahmudullah is regarded as a finisher for the side in ODIs and T20Is. Mahmudullah has sailed the ship of the team to victory on many occasions. He is highly renowned for his calm demeanor on the field that assists him to do the needful. He has a vast experience of 97 T20Is and has scored 1650 run so far. Mahmudullah will have a huge responsibility on him to hit those big shots when needed.
His presence in the line-up provides stability to the team whereas, with the likes of Afif Hossain in the team, he can also take the baton of hitting the ball out of the park. Bangladesh tried many players at the number seven spot. Mehidy Hasan is the other important name in the lower order of the team. However, some powerful performances will be expected of these players to help the team win crucial matches.
6. South Africa
For the Proteas, David Miller has been a substantial factor. He brings a certain intensity to the field and the team banks on him to get the job done. Over the years, he has established himself well in the white ball arena. His numbers also further suggest the impact that he has on the game.
Recently he might have not been at his very best, but he is the strongest link in South Africa’s chain. He has been instrumental for the side in the latter half of the South Africa batting, hitting the balls in the death overs. Miller has showed his talent more so in the T20 format, playing 89 innings for South Africa in T20Is, and scoring 1716 runs while maintaining a strike rate of 140.43
Miller doesn’t get behind the ball from the very first delivery, but rather builds on his innings according to the situation. In the recent series against Ireland, Miller’s unbeaten 36 off 17 put the finishing touches on South Africa’s innings as they won the series 3-0. Rassie van der Dussen also controlled the innings of Proteas on quite a few occasions during the recent T20I series, gathering important runs. Andile Phehlukwayo, Chris Morris, and Kagiso Rabada also possess the ability to play quick and impactful innings.
5. New Zealand
The Kane Williamson-led side will be all raring to enter the mega event of the T20 World Cup. They are recently crowned as the World Test Champions. The Black Caps have announced their 15 member squad for the forthcoming T20 World Cup. Jimmy Neesham, Daryl Mitchell, and Mitchell Santner are the names that strike when it comes to the finishers of the side.
Jimmy Neesham is a good timer of the ball. He has the repertoire to clear the rope and fetch in important runs for New Zealand. His contribution with the willow will be important for the side and he has stood for the team in the past whilst difficult situations. Santner too steps up as the finisher for the side, soaking in the pressure and delivering at critical situations.
Santner’s progress provides depth to the side. Daryl Mitchell can also go behind runs when the situation demands. Kyle Jamieson for that matter also can put up a show with the bat. He can come in handy with the bat at the lower order and can influence the result of the match.
4. Australia
Australia too announced their squad for the World Cup wherein the key names made a comeback to the squad while the uncapped player, Josh Inglis, received his maiden call-up in the side. When it comes to the finishers in the Australian team, Glenn Maxwell tops the proceedings. His prowess with the bat is known to all as he has the potential to change the game upside down.
A lot of chatter took rounds when Maxwell was roped in by RCB ahead of the IPL 2021. However, the batter proved to be one of the most impactful players for the side. He can hit the ball all around the park by introducing the most unorthodox shots. Maxwell has often made sure that Australia gets through the inning with a great finish.
Maxwell has featured in 72 T20Is for the Men in Yellow scoring 1780 runs and has also picked up 31 wickets. Alongside him, the team also has strong options in Marcus Stoinis and Pat Cummins who too can chime in to shift the pendulum in the team’s favor. Stoinis can score quick runs and be the game-changer for the side. Cummins had previously set the stage on fire with his belligerent innings for KKR against CSK in the IPL to showcase his skills.
3. West Indies
The West Indies team has quite a few hard hitters in the side who can finish off things in style for them. Andre Russel who has featured in varied T20 leagues has often exuded his talent with the bat. Russel can send the ball out of the park and can also anchor the innings for the Windies.
In 62 T20Is, he has scored 716 runs and also picked up 36 wickets. The team is not short on big hitters. Once Russel gets going, he can cause trouble to any bowlers by finishing the games rather dominantly. Down the order, they have Dwayne Bravo who can take the charge of the field and bring in some quality stroke play.
Kieron Pollard is the other important name that has been extremely pivotal for the West Indies. He comes to the fore with his all-rounder abilities. One has witnessed him change the fate of the game single-handedly with his willow. He has played 88 T20Is and mustered 1378 runs for the Windies.
2. India
India has a lot of depth and belief in their batting lineup. The side has quite a few key names that can pretty much deliver when the situation gets out of hand. The one name that automatically springs to mind is that of Ravindra Jadeja. Over time, his power hitting and range of strokes in T20 cricket has evolved.
He can be a prime contender to bat down the order in the squad and can shine with the bat by producing match-winning performances. On the other hand, Rishabh Pant has been in the form of his life lately. He can completely pull the match from the opposition in a matter of a few overs. The southpaw also has those innovative T20 shots under his belt that make him one of the most reliable finishers in T20.
Though Hardik Pandya hasn’t looked in decent touch lately, he is the player who cannot be taken for granted. Him coming in at number 6 can cause major headaches for any opposing side. Pandya has proven his genius in the past and will have a lot of hopes pinned on him for the finishing job.
1. England
The 2019 fifty-over World Cup champions, England are one of the strongest opposition. They also have some extremely prominent finishers on their side which strengthen their team. All-rounder Ben Stokes has more often than not made it sure that he makes his presence on the 22 yards count. His innings in the 2019 World Cup finals exemplify his finishing abilities in the best possible way.
Post that, in the Ashes series as well he displayed the world the potential he has. On varied occasions, he has taken the mantle of the team and has taken it to the finish line. Stokes has mastered both, anchoring the innings as well as playing the attacking game. Being a bowler, he can judge the deliveries and predict them well that gives him a further edge.
England also has the services of Moeen Ali. In the Indian leg of the IPL, he was used up the order and the all-rounder delivered there as well. Ali can take on the bowlers rather dominantly and hit important runs to build the team’s innings.
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