ICC Announces Team: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially unveiled the Team of the Tournament for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, recognizing the standout performers who delivered exceptional performances throughout the month-long global cricket event.
The tournament, hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8, 2026, ended with India defeating New Zealand by a massive 96-run margin in the final, securing their third T20 World Cup title and second consecutive championship.
Following the conclusion of the competition, the ICC selection panel named a dream XI featuring players who dominated with bat, ball, and all-round performances across the tournament.
Selection Panel Behind the Team
The Team of the Tournament was chosen by a panel consisting of:
- Ian Bishop (West Indies legend)
- Eoin Morgan (former England captain)
- Natalie Germanos (coach and commentator)
- Gaurav Saxena (ICC representative)
- Rex Clementine (Sri Lankan sports journalist)
This panel evaluated performances from all matches to identify the most impactful players during the tournament.
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 – Team of the Tournament
The final list includes several top performers from different countries, with India having the highest representation in the squad.
Team of the Tournament:
- Sahibzada Farhan (Pakistan)
- Sanju Samson (India) – Wicketkeeper
- Ishan Kishan (India)
- Suryakumar Yadav (India)
- Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand)
- Azmatullah Omarzai (Afghanistan)
- Marco Jansen (South Africa)
- Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)
- Jasprit Bumrah (India)
- Anrich Nortje (South Africa)
- Shaheen Shah Afridi (Pakistan)
12th Player: Mitchell Santner (New Zealand)
Four players from the champion Indian side made it into the XI, reflecting the team’s dominance throughout the competition.
Sahibzada Farhan’s Record-Breaking Tournament
Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan was one of the biggest stars of the tournament.
- Matches: 7
- Runs: 383
- Average: 76.60
- Strike Rate: 160.25
He became the first player in T20 World Cup history to score two centuries in a single edition and finished as the tournament’s highest run-scorer, despite Pakistan exiting in the Super Eight stage.
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Sanju Samson Named Player of the Tournament
India’s Sanju Samson was awarded the Player of the Tournament after producing crucial performances during the knockout stages.
Key highlights of his campaign include:
- 97* vs West Indies in the Super Eight stage
- 89 vs England in the semi-final
- 89 vs New Zealand in the final
His consistent batting played a major role in India lifting the trophy.
India’s Dominant Campaign
India enjoyed an exceptional run in the tournament, defeating several top teams on the way to the final. The team eventually overcame New Zealand in the title clash, registering a convincing 96-run victory in Ahmedabad to claim the trophy.
With multiple Indian players featuring in the Team of the Tournament, the selection highlights the country’s strong performance in both batting and bowling departments.
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A Tournament Full of Records
The 2026 edition of the T20 World Cup featured 20 teams competing across India and Sri Lanka, making it one of the largest tournaments in the competition’s history.
The event saw several record-breaking performances, emerging stars, and thrilling matches that kept fans engaged throughout the tournament.
Conclusion
The ICC’s Team of the Tournament celebrates the most impactful players from the 2026 T20 World Cup. With standout contributions from India, Pakistan, South Africa, Afghanistan, and New Zealand, the selected XI reflects the global nature of the competition.
As cricket fans now look ahead to the next edition, the performances in this year’s tournament will remain a benchmark for excellence in the shortest format of the game.
