Year in Review: Cricadium’s Best T20I XI of 2018

#8 Andrew Tye

Andrew Tye
Andrew Tye

While there are mostly spinners amongst the top wicket-takers this year in T20 Internationals, Andrew Tye emerged at the top, being a pacer. The fast bowler has been one of the best bowlers in the format due to his variations.

Tye was impressive in the IPL and he continued his good run in international cricket as well. In 18 innings, he took 31 wickets at an average of 18.93. His economy rate of 8.56 was a tad on a higher side but that’s because he bowls the tough overs at the start and at the death.

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Cricadium's T20I XI of 2018
Cricadium's T20I XI of 2018
2018 was a year that showcased some riveting contests across all 3 formats. While Test cricket hogged the limelight, for the most part, T20 wasn't too far behind. Just like every year, the shortest format keeps growing in popularity. We have compiled the best performers for Cricadium’s Best T20I XI of 2018. India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Australia were the teams that played the most number of T20 Internationals this year. So, the T20I XI of 2018 is studded with glittering performers from these countries. Also Read: Cricadium’s Best Test XI of 2018 and Cricadium’s Best ODI XI of 2018

Here is Cricadium’s Best T20I XI of 2018

#1 Shikhar Dhawan

Shikhar Dhawan
Shikhar Dhawan
Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan didn't have a great time in Test cricket in 2018. He was dropped from the side midway through the England tour. However, it didn't impact his white ball form one bit. In fact, his game in the shortest form raised a few notches this year. The left-hander ended the year as the leading run-getter in T20 Internationals. He scored 689 runs in 18 T20Is at an average of 40.52 and a strike rate of 147.22. Also, he made 6 half-centuries, which is the join most in 2018.

#2 Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma
Another Indian opener Rohit Sharma also had a fantastic year in the shortest format of the game. Even though he didn't have a great run in the Indian Premier League in 2018 yet his international form was pretty good that earns him a place in T20I XI of 2018. Rohit made 590 runs in 18 innings, averaging 36.87. Additionally, he had a strike rate of 147.5. He finished the year as the second highest run-getter, only behind his opening partner Shikhar Dhawan. The right-hander also struck 2 centuries, the most by any batsman in 2018.

#3 Aaron Finch

Aaron Finch
Aaron Finch
Even though Aaron Finch opens the innings for Australia, yet his stats in 2018 were too good to keep him out of the T20I XI of 2018. He has batted at No.3 in the past and we slot him in for his wonderful year with the bat. Finch scored 531 runs from 17 games at an average of 40.84. He had a daunting strike rate of 176.41, among the highest ones this year. He also struck a century and 2 half-centuries. His highest score was 172, which was also the highest in T20 Internationals in 2018.

#4 Babar Azam

Babar Azam
Babar Azam
Pakistan had a dream run in 2018 in the shortest format of the game. The Men in Green won series after series due to their team effort. But there was one batsman who can be held responsible for a glorious year with the bat. Babar Azam literally arrived in international cricket this year with his classy batting. Babar scored 563 runs from 12 matches at a superlative average of 62.55. He had a strike rate of 126.51 to match the average. The right-hander holds the record for the joint most fifties this year with Shikhar Dhawan. Due to his outstanding run in T20Is, he has strengthened his position at the top of ICC Rankings in the format for the batsmen.

#5 Mushfiqur Rahim

Mushfiqur Rahim
Mushfiqur Rahim
Amongst the wicketkeepers this year, Bangladesh's Mushfiqur Rahim has the best stats. He was the backbone of Bangladesh's batting on most occasions. He now is one of the most experienced lads in the line-up and the team relies heavily on him in each of the 3 formats. From 16 T20Is, Rahim made 397 runs. He had an average of 30.53 and to go with that, he scored runs at a strike rate of 132.33. Also, he struck 3 half-centuries. Mushfiqur Rahim will be the man with the gloves in T20I XI of 2018.

#6 Glenn Maxwell

Glenn Maxwell, Australia
Glenn Maxwell
Australia's Glenn Maxwell was having a lean patch in international cricket of late as he was in and out of the side in other formats. But his form in T20 Internationals in 2018 was impressive. He scored runs at a rate of knots which is typical of Maxwell. The 30-year-old is the No.1 all-rounder in ICC Rankings for T20Is. The right-hander accumulated 506 runs in 18 T20I innings. He had an average of 143.75 and a strike rate of 143.75. Maxwell also scored a century and 2 half-centuries this year. What strengthens his place in T20I XI of 2018 is his contribution with the ball. He picked 9 wickets on the 8 occasions that he was entrusted for the duties.

#7 Shakib Al Hasan

Shakib Al Hasan
Shakib Al Hasan
Talk about all-rounders and Shakib Al Hasan's name always pops up, irrespective of the format. He is undoubtedly the best cricketer Bangladesh has ever produced. And the all-rounder makes it to the T20I XI of 2018 with a great year with both bat and ball. With bat in hand, he scored 248 runs from 11 games with 2 half-centuries. His average was 24.8 and he struck at 132.62. His bowling stats were even more impressive. Shakib took 15 wickets at an economy rate of just 6.65. His best figures of 20/5 came against Windies at home in a match-winning performance.

#8 Andrew Tye

Andrew Tye
Andrew Tye
While there are mostly spinners amongst the top wicket-takers this year in T20 Internationals, Andrew Tye emerged at the top, being a pacer. The fast bowler has been one of the best bowlers in the format due to his variations. Tye was impressive in the IPL and he continued his good run in international cricket as well. In 18 innings, he took 31 wickets at an average of 18.93. His economy rate of 8.56 was a tad on a higher side but that's because he bowls the tough overs at the start and at the death.

#9 Rashid Khan

Rashid Khan
Rashid Khan
If you create a World XI of any format for white ball cricket, let alone T20I XI of 2018, Rashid Khan is bound to feature in that. Perhaps the best bowlers of the format, the Afghan spinner had yet another great year with the ball. Despite being on the scene for quite some time, his mystery is yet to be solved. Rashid took 22 wickets in just 8 matches this year. He had an average of 8.68 which was the best this year. It's always hard to score runs off him and an economy of 6.36 is proof of that.

#10 Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep Yadav of India
Kuldeep Yadav
If there's any bowler who comes close to Rashid Khan, it's India's, Kuldeep Yadav. The chinaman has been India's go-to man in the format. His masterful bowling was one of the reasons for India's T20I series victories in South Africa and England. Kuldeep bagged 21 wickets in 9 matches at an average of 9.8, which is second only to Rashid. In terms of economy rate, the Indian spinner eclipses Rashid. Kuldeep went for just 5.97 runs an over which was the best amongst the top wicket-takers this year. Rashid and Kuldeep together in the T20I XI of 2018 would form an unplayable spin pair.

#11 Billy Stanlake

Billy Stanlake
Billy Stanlake
Along with Andrew Tye, another pacer who led the Australian pace attack in 2018 was Billy Stanlake. The tall pacer bowls nearly 150 clicks every time and the bounce that he generates due to his height makes him almost unplayable at times. This year, he took 25 wickets in 16 games at an average of 18.4. His economy rate of 7.79 is better as compared to Tye. The best bowling figures of 8/4 came against Pakistan when he was at his furious best. Billy Stanlake is the last pick in T20I XI of 2018 and completes a formidable line-up.   Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on FacebookTwitter and Instagram