The ICC has spoken. Here’s the official T20 World Cup 2026 Team of the Tournament from the most run-packed T20 World Cup in history — and it’s full of surprises.
Defending champions India became the first team to win back-to-back T20 World Cup titles, defeating New Zealand by 96 runs in the final in Ahmedabad. But the month-long tournament was about so much more than just India’s triumph. From Pakistan’s fallen hero to a Zimbabwe giant who shook the world, the official ICC Team of the Tournament tells a rich, multi-layered story.
The team was picked by a selection panel comprising West Indies great Ian Bishop, former England captain Eoin Morgan, coach-turned-commentator Natalie Germanos, ICC representative Gaurav Saxena, and senior Sri Lankan sports journalist Rex Clementine.
Table of Contents
ICC’s Official T20 World Cup 2026 Team of the Tournament
| Player | Country | Role | Key Stats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sahibzada Farhan | Pakistan | Opener | 383 runs |
| Sanju Samson (wk) | India | Opener/WK | 321 runs |
| Ishan Kishan | India | Top Order | 317 runs |
| Aiden Markram (c) | South Africa | Top Order | 286 runs |
| Hardik Pandya | India | All-Rounder | 217 runs & 9 wkts |
| Will Jacks | England | All-Rounder | 226 runs & 9 wkts |
| Jason Holder | West Indies | All-Rounder | 141 runs & 10 wkts |
| Jasprit Bumrah | India | Pacer | 14 wkts |
| Lungi Ngidi | South Africa | Pacer | 12 wkts |
| Adil Rashid | England | Spinner | 13 wkts |
| Blessing Muzarabani | Zimbabwe | Pacer | 13 wkts |
| Shadley van Schalkwyk (12th man) | USA | Pacer | 13 wkts |
The Stories Behind the XI
Sahibzada Farhan is the tournament’s great tragic hero. His tally of 383 runs in seven matches was the highest a batter has scored in a single edition of the T20 World Cup, despite Pakistan exiting at the Super Eight stage. The 29-year-old opener also became the first batter to score two hundreds in a single edition of a T20 World Cup.
Sanju Samson’s comeback story is the emotional heart of this XI. He kicked off his scoring spree with an unbeaten 97 against the West Indies, then piled on 89 against England in the semi-final and another 89 in the final — becoming only the second batter to notch three successive 80-plus scores at a T20 World Cup.
Ishan Kishan completed a remarkable redemption arc after two years on the sidelines. His best performance came against arch-rivals Pakistan, where after India lost an early wicket, Kishan led the charge with 77 off 40 balls studded with 10 fours and three sixes. He then delivered 54 runs and two crucial catches in the final — all while dealing with a personal tragedy.
The one selection that raised eyebrows was Aiden Markram over Shimron Hetmyer, but the numbers back it up. Markram scored three half-centuries and was especially effective in Ahmedabad, scoring 86* in the group clash against New Zealand and an unbeaten 82 against West Indies in the Super Eight.
Blessing Muzarabani is the XI’s feel-good wildcard. Zimbabwe announced their arrival with a 23-run win over Australia, with Muzarabani claiming 4/17 as Australia were dismissed for 146. In the group stage, he claimed nine wickets in three matches as his team finished at the top of Group B.
And then there’s Shadley van Schalkwyk — the USA pacer who announced himself to the world. He began with a four-wicket haul against India, having the co-hosts in a spot of bother at 77/6, before following it up with an identical 4/25 against Pakistan. Thirteen wickets from just four games. The 12th man spot feels like an injustice.
Read more: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Awards: Bumrah, Samson & Farhan Light Up a Historic Tournament
