The dust had barely settled on the format’s showpiece international event before more of it was being played. Pakistan Vs. Bangladesh and India Vs. New Zealand commenced barely a week later. West Indies and Sri Lanka went straight into a Test series. With a moment to look back, however, we ick our team of the tournament from the T20 World Cup.

Shaheen Afridi was a must-watch performer at the T20 World Cup

So, who to pick? I was flicking through news articles and came across Kevin Pietersen’s team of the tournament. The former England batsman and former World T20 champion isn’t shy of an opinion. Let’s see where our opinions converge.

Jos Buttler (k)

269 runs at a strike rate of 151.12, the highest strike rate of any player at the tournament with more than 200 runs. He also hit the tournament’s only century. Buttler was at his best in the UAE and consistently got England off to a flier.

Dave Warner

Omitted from KP’s team, the marmite Aussie scored 289 runs at a strike rate of 146.70. When the tournament reached the business end, Warner was in imperious form and was instrumental to Australia’s unlikely success.

Babar Azam (c)

Although he opened for Pakistan, Azam would make for a perfect three after Buttler and Warer. Top scored with 303 runs and led Pakistan superbly – right up until he lost the toss in the semi-final against Australia.

Charith Asalanka

Another to make KP’s team, you can’t look past the numbers. 231 runs at a strike rate of 147.13, the 24-year-old announced himself on the world stage, giving Sri Lanka promise for the years ahead.

Shakib Al Hasan

If nothing else, it was great to see Shakib back on the world stage. Unselected by KP, perhaps because he played a lot in the preliminary round against the lesser lights, Shakib managed 131 runs and 11 wickets with an economy rate of a measly 5.59. A handy all rounder, it’s fair to say.

It was great to see Shakib Al Hasan back on the big stage with Bangladesh

Moeen Ali

Another spinning all rounder for the middle order, Ali didn’t have too much to do with the bat, having only four innings. He still managed 92 runs at a strike rate of 131.42. His seven wickets came 11 runs apiece and his economy rate was an exceptional 5.50.

Wanindu Hasaranga

Another young Sri Lankan to leave a mark on the tournament. Hasaranga topped the wicket taking charts with 16 and a bowling economy rate of just 5.20. He also mustered a healthy 119 runs at a strike rate of 148.75. He did play in the preliminary round, but you can only play what’s in front of you.

Adam Zampa

13 wickets and an economy rate of 5.81 did much to carry Australia to the title. Bowled exceptionally in the middle overs to curtail opposition charges.

Tim Southee

Whilst the Kiwi seamer only took eight wickets, his economy rate of 6.50 stands out. He brought control to the Black Caps’ bowling whenever called upon by Kane Williamson and bowls well in tandem with his teammate:

Trent Boult

13 wickets and an economy rate of 6.25, Boult was the lone line of resistance against the dew and a heavy Australian onslaught in the final.

Shaheen Afridi

Sometimes there’s no need to justify a selection with numbers. Afridi with the new ball was a treat for the eyes, exhibiting accuracy, pace and potency. He’s a box office performer that you can’t help but enjoy watching.

Agree with our picks? Who would you have gone to? There are a couple of nailed on certainties for the XI, but one or two grey areas as well…

By Miles Reucroft