SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT
With the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup less than two weeks away, Australia legend Adam Gilchrist has chosen the first five players he would pick in a dream World T20I XI.
A man who revolutionised the game with his work with both bat and wicket-keeping gloves, Gilchrist enjoyed a legendary white-ball career for Australia, winning three Cricket World Cup titles. In the T20 game, Gilchrist showed his qualities in the format's infancy, boasting a strike-rate of over 140.
1. David Warner (Australia) - ICC T20I Batting Ranking: 49th
“He’s at the top of the order," Gilchrist said.
“I think just his attacking attitude, the way he kick-starts innings at the top, and the confidence he’ll have from the previous T20 World Cup.”
2. Babar Azam (Pakistan) - ICC T20I Batting Ranking: 3th
“His versatility across all formats, but also when it’s getting down to T20 cricket, just across all conditions, I think he can play all conditions really well," Gilchrist noted.
3. Hardik Pandya (India) - ICC T20I All-Rounder Ranking: 4th
“Pandya is just an awesome figure straight across the board," Gilchrist said.
“His ability to bat, bowl, field and entertain, he’s definitely in there.”
4. Rashid Khan (Afghanistan) - ICC T20I Bowling Ranking: 4th
“He’s just got to be there in any T20 team, doesn’t he?" Gilchrist said.
“Cricketer of the year in this format across the world. Over the last decade, Rashid Khan is in there.”
5. Jos Buttler (England) - ICC T20I Batting Ranking: 21st
“It’s a bit batting heavy I know, but Jos Buttler for me," Gilchrist added.
“He is just dynamic, his power and his courage to take it on. Simply a stroke of brilliance from him and its game over."