Former Pakistan fast bowler, Shoaib Kahar opined that Pakistan skipper, Babar Azam should have won the player of the tournament award at the 2021 T20 World Cup instead of David Warner. Warner finished the tournament as the second-highest run-gettter as he is just 14 runs behind Babar and scored 53 off 38 balls in the final to help Australia to their maiden title.
Tweeting about the same, Shoaib Akhtar wrote: “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 had amassed 303 runs in six innings, which is the third-highest runs amassed by a player in a single edition of the tournament. Former Sri Lanka batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan (317 runs in 2009) and India’s Virat Kohli (319 runs in 2014) are the only players who rank higher than Babar in the list.
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Talking about the final, the New Zealand side posted a good total of 172/4 on the board, and the Aussies needed to score at a run rate of over 8.5 runs per over to take the team over the line. But, the Australian batsmen did not panic and finished the job with aplomb.
At the top of the order, David Warner proved his worth by scoring a superb 53 at a strike rate of close to 140. Warner smashed 4 fours and 3 sixes in his innings. And then, came a superb knock played by Mitchell Marsh.
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The right-hander played an unbeaten match-winning knock of 77* off 50 deliveries for the kangaroos, stayed till the end, and ensured that the Aussies got the job done. His innings were embellished with 6 fours and 4 sixes. Marsh won the Player of the Match award for his sensational knock. On the other hand, David Warner emerged as the Player of the Tournament.