Cricket Addictor's T20I XI of the Year 2018

Since the inception of T20I cricket in 2005, its popularity has grown manifolds over the years. From teams playing just a handful of T20Is each year back then to having full-fledged bilateral series today, the shortest format has leapfrogged the popularity of the other two formats.

2018 saw many exciting T20I games taking place around the world as many cricketers dominated the game. With another year done and dusted, let us take a look at the best T20I XI of the year 2018.

Shikhar Dhawan

Shikhar Dhawan made the T20 opening spot his own despite sharp criticism by many during his initial days in the shortest format. However, he has let his willow do the talking on his behalf.

He was the top-scorer during India’s tour to South Africa and the recently concluded T20I series against Australia as well. He was also India’s top-scorer in the Nidahas Trophy earlier this year. As a result, he ends 2018 as the overall top run-getter, scoring 689 runs from 18 matches including six half-centuries.

Aaron Finch

Aaron Finch was in great form with the bat this year, despite Australia not doing well in this format of the game. After winning the tri-series against England and New Zealand at the beginning of the year, they are yet to win one.

However, Finch was one of the shining stars in what has been a distress year for Australia scoring 531 runs in 17 matches at an average of above 40. He scored a stupendous 172 against Zimbabwe, thus breaking numerous records along the way, and also notched up two half-centuries.

Colin Munro

New Zealand’s Colin Munro was a hot deal in the franchise-based T20 leagues as well, playing a big part for the teams he signed for. Moreover, he carried his form in the international circuit boasting a strike-rate of 178 which is one of the best this year. Overall, he scored 500 runs in 12 matches at an average of 45.45.

Babar Azam

Pakistani middle-order batsman Babar Azam had a great year as he finished this calendar year with a staggering average of 62.55. He is one of the positives for Pakistan in the shortest format of the game who have won every T20I series they played.

Babar scored 563 runs in 12 matches with six half-centuries to his name and is also currently the top-ranked batsmen in the T20I rankings.

Glenn Maxwell

The all-rounder from Australia was back to his usual best scoring tons of runs for his side in the shortest format of the game. He began the year with an impeccable performance in the tri-series against England and New Zealand and followed that up with consistent performances through the year.

In total, he has smashed 506 runs in 18 innings with one century and two half-centuries to his name.

Mushfiquer Rahim (wk)

The wicket-keeper batsman from Bangladesh was one of the star performers this year for his country. He provided stability in the middle-order; however, Bangladesh didn’t have a good time.

Mushfiqur Rahim ended the year with 397 runs to his name in 13 matches with three half-centuries to his name.

Rashid Khan

The ace spinner from Afghanistan once again had a stellar year as he continued to impress with his performances. He was lethal with the ball and also chipped in with a few surprise performances with the bat.

Afghanistan did not play as much T20 cricket as the other nations but Rashid made an impact in the 8 matches he played, picking up an astonishing 22 wickets at an average of below 9.

Liam Plunkett

The veteran all-rounder from England has added stability to the England team with his contributions in all the department. Plunkett brings tons of experiences to his side which makes his invincible in this format.

Kuldeep Yadav

The left-arm leg-spinner from India has been impressive since he stepped into the international circuit. He has been pivotal for India’s dominance in the shortest format of the game.

Overall, Kuldeep Yadav has bagged 21 wickets from nine games with a stunning economy rate.

Billy Stanlake

The tall and lanky pacer from Australia was stupendous for his side providing breakthroughs with the new ball on a consistent basis. Billy Stanlake can rack up a good pace and possess a good control over line and length.

Stanlake ended the year with 25 scalps from 16 games with the best figure of 4 for 8.

Keamo Paul

Windies’ Keemo Paul had a breakthrough season in this calendar year, and he finished as his team’s leading wicket-taker in the T20Is.

A right-arm pacer who made his mark in the Under-19 World Cup in 2016, Paul made his senior debut this year and had grown from strength to strength ever since. He ended 2018 with 17 wickets in 13 matches, including a 5-wicket haul against Bangladesh.