Top 3 players to watch out for in the ICC T20 World Cup Final at the MCG

Pakistan will lock horns with England in the all-important Final of the ICC T20 World Cup on Sunday at the MGC in Melbourne. Here are the top 3 players to watch out for in tomorrow’s mouth-watering encounter.

Shaheen Afridi

Shaheen Shah Afridi was returning from a serious knee injury at the start of the World Cup, he had a slow start to the tournament but he has been improving throughout and was at his best in the semi-final victory against New Zealand picking up 2 for 24. The left-arm pacer dismissed Fin Allen early on in the power play and returned to bowl the 15th and the 17th, conceding only 13 runs and also dismissed the well-set Kane Williamson for 46. Shaheen is currently Pakistan’s joint-highest wicket-taker along with legspinner Shadab Khan with 10 wickets each. He is definitely one to watch out for in the Finals, his performance will be vital in the outcome of the game.

Alex Hales

With 211 runs at a 52.76 average and a strike rate of 148.59, Hales is the team’s highest run-scorer in this World Cup so far. Hales scored 52 against New Zealand and 47 against New Sri Lanka, but his best knock came in the Semi-Finals against India, where Hales and Buttler stitched together an unbeaten record opening partnership of 170 runs that led England to the massive 10-wicket win, with the 33-year-old batter smashing an unbeaten 86 off just 47 balls at a strike rate of nearly 183. He would look to replicate a similar performance in the Finals against Pakistan as well. Alex Hales wasn’t considered for England’s ICC T20 World Cup 2022 campaign, but when Jonny Bairstow unexpectedly injured his ankle while playing golf in September, it left the door open for the opening position.

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Shadab Khan

Shadab Khan has been a key player in Pakistan’s success in the T20 World Cup for far. Although he went wicketless in the Semi-Finals against New Zealand, his match-winning performance against South Africa, scoring 52 from 22 balls and tremendous bowling saved Pakistan from the verge of elimination. He is also Pakistan’s leading wicket-taker, scalping 10 wickets in 6 matches. The 24-year-old’s ability to contribute with both bat and ball makes him Pakistan’s best T20 player and He will be a key player to watch out for in the Finals on Sunday, the 13th of November.