ICC T20 World Cup Team Named as Farhan and Samson Shine

The ICC T20 World Cup Team of the Tournament for the 2026 edition has been announced, with Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan and India’s Sanju Samson among the standout performers recognised for their exceptional displays throughout the competition.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) revealed the official XI on Monday following the conclusion of the tournament. The team was chosen by a panel featuring West Indies great Ian Bishop, former England captain Eoin Morgan, coach and commentator Natalie Germanos, ICC representative Gaurav Saxena, and senior Sri Lankan journalist Rex Clementine.

Farhan’s record-breaking campaign

Despite Pakistan exiting in the Super Eight stage, Sahibzada Farhan produced one of the most remarkable batting performances in the history of the tournament.

The 29-year-old amassed 383 runs in seven matches, setting a new record for the most runs scored by a batter in a single T20 World Cup edition.

Farhan also became the first player ever to score two centuries in one T20 World Cup. His second hundred came against Sri Lanka in Pakistan’s final Super Eight match, an innings that proved decisive in a dramatic five-run victory.

Samson leads India’s triumph

Sanju Samson was instrumental in India’s title-winning campaign and was named Player of the Tournament.

Initially unable to secure a regular place in India’s star-studded XI, Samson made the most of his opportunity when it arrived. His breakthrough performance came in a virtual knockout Super Eight clash against the West Indies, where he smashed an unbeaten 97.

The wicketkeeper-batter carried that momentum into the knockout stage. He struck 89 against England in the semi-final and followed it with another crucial 89 in the final against New Zealand.

With those performances, Samson became only the third batter to score half-centuries in both the semi-final and final of a T20 World Cup, and just the second player to record three consecutive scores of 80 or more in the tournament’s history.

Kishan and Markram impress at the top

Ishan Kishan also earned a place in the side thanks to his aggressive batting at the top of the order. The left-hander registered three half-centuries, along with valuable quickfire innings of 38 against Zimbabwe and 39 against England.

His standout knock came against Pakistan when he blasted 77 from 40 balls, hitting ten fours and three sixes after India lost an early wicket.

Kishan’s comeback story was completed in the final, where he scored 54 and also took two key catches.

South Africa captain Aiden Markram was another key figure in the tournament. Leading the Proteas from the front, he guided his side to seven consecutive victories at the start of the competition.

Markram scored three half-centuries, including an unbeaten 86 against New Zealand in Ahmedabad and another unbeaten 82 against the West Indies in the Super Eights.

He also made an impact with the ball, dismissing Kishan in his first over during South Africa’s clash with India.

All-rounders dominate the middle order

India’s Hardik Pandya continued his reputation as one of the most influential all-rounders in world cricket.

He scored 217 runs and claimed nine wickets during the tournament. One of his most memorable innings came against Zimbabwe, where he smashed 50 from just 23 balls, helping India post 256 for 4 — the highest total of the 2026 tournament.

Pandya also delivered crucial spells with the ball. Against Pakistan, he removed Sahibzada Farhan for a duck and later dismissed Usman Tariq while returning figures of 2 for 16.

England’s Will Jacks emerged as another standout all-round performer. Batting lower down the order, he excelled in the finisher’s role.

His best score was an unbeaten 53 against Italy, while he also contributed a vital cameo against India and struck an unbeaten 32 against New Zealand in the final Super Eight match.

Jacks also shone with the ball, taking three wickets against Sri Lanka in the Super Eights. His four Player of the Match awards matched the record previously held by Shane Watson.

Bowlers dominate the attack

West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder impressed with both bat and ball during the tournament.

In the Super Eight clash against India, he claimed 2 for 38 before scoring 37 not out from 22 balls. Holder also delivered a devastating spell against Nepal at the Wankhede Stadium, taking 4 for 27 in a dominant nine-wicket win.

India’s Jasprit Bumrah was once again a key figure in their success. He finished the tournament as the joint highest wicket-taker alongside Varun Chakaravarthy.

Bumrah produced his best performance in the final against New Zealand, where he returned figures of 4 for 15 to earn the Player of the Match award.

His control and precision were also crucial in the semi-final against England. In a match that produced 499 total runs, Bumrah conceded just six runs in the decisive 18th over, helping India secure a seven-run victory.

South Africa’s Lungi Ngidi also impressed with the ball, starting the tournament with 4 for 31 against Canada and adding two further three-wicket hauls.

England leg-spinner Adil Rashid was the only specialist spinner selected in the team. He played a crucial role in England winning six of their first seven matches.

His best figures were 3 for 36 against Scotland, while he also delivered key spells against Sri Lanka and New Zealand in the Super Eight stage.

Muzarabani and USA star earn recognition

Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani was vital to his team’s impressive run to the Super Eights.

Zimbabwe began their campaign with a memorable 23-run victory over Australia, a match where Muzarabani claimed 4 for 17. During the group stage, he picked up nine wickets in three matches as Zimbabwe topped Group B.

USA pacer Shadley Van Schalkwyk was named 12th man after a superb group-stage performance. He took 4 for 25 against Pakistan after earlier producing the same figures against India.

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 and Blessing Muzarabani.

12th man: Shadley Van Schalkwyk.

Check out India crush New Zealand to retain the T20 World Cup 2026 title

Source: https://www.icc-cricket.com/tournaments/mens-t20-world-cup-2026