The ICC T20 World Cup 2021 ended yesterday with Australia winning its first T20 World Cup after defeating New Zealand by 8 wickets in the finals of the tournament played at Dubai International Stadium. The toss was won by the Aussies who decided to bowl first; the Kiwis posted a total of 172/4 on the scoreboard and Kane Williamson played a captain innings as he was the highest scorer with 85 runs for which he faced 48 deliveries and his innings included 10 fours & 3 sixes.
In reply, the Aussies didn’t have a good start as Aaron Finch got out pretty early but David Warner and Mitchell Marsh ensured that they took their team in a strong position. While Warner got out at 53 (38 balls, 4 fours & 3 sixes), Mitchell Marsh remained not out at 77 (50 balls, 6 fours & 4 fours). The Aussies achieved the target with 8 wickets in hand and 7 balls remaining in their innings.
While Mitchell Marsh was adjudged as the Player of the Match, David Warner was declared as the Player of the Tournament as he scored 289 runs in the seven matches that he played for his team; his average was 48.16 and he also scored three half-centuries in the tournament. The best thing for Australia was that the left-handed opener clicked the most when it was needed the most and in the last three matches including the semi-final and final, Warner scored 89 not out, 49 and 53.
However, the former Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Akhtar was not happy with this decision as he is of the opinion that the player of the tournament award should have gone to the Pakistani skipper Babar Azam under whose leadership the Pakistani team remained unbeaten until the semi-finals.
Shoaib Akhtar tweeted, “Was really looking forward to see @babarazam258 becoming Man of the Tournament. Unfair decision for sure.”
Was really looking forward to see @babarazam258 becoming Man of the Tournament. Unfair decision for sure.
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) November 14, 2021
Babar Azam scored 303 runs in the six matches that he played with an average of 60 and he also scored 4 fifties in the tournament. He has also become the No. 1 ranked T20I batter after performing superbly in the T20 World Cup.
Do you agree with Shoaib Akhtar? What do you have to say about it? Let us know your views.
