The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the final list of player of the tournament for the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, with only one Pakistani representative making the cut following a disappointing campaign for the former champions.
Sahibzada Farhan provides Pakistan’s only silver lining as the national team fails to progress beyond the group stages.
The opener amassed 383 runs in six innings – the highest ever in one edition of the Men’s T20 World Cup – and became the first player to score two centuries in one match, scoring centuries against Sri Lanka and Namibia.
Despite Pakistan’s inability to meet the net run-rate requirements for semi-final qualification, Farhan along with Fakhar Zaman continued to give his team explosive starts.
The technically proficient right-hander has demonstrated his ability to adapt to the demands of modern T20 cricket with considerable assurance.
England’s Will Jakes tops the list of nominees after proving instrumental in his side’s run to the finals, winning six of their eight games.
The Surrey all-rounder picked up four man-of-the-match awards, including decisive performances in crucial Super Eight encounters against Sri Lanka and New Zealand.
Jacks, who batted down the order, amassed 226 runs at a staggering strike rate of 176.56, perfecting the finisher’s role.
His best innings came against Italy, rescuing England from 105 for 5 to score 202 for 7, unbeaten on 53 off just 22 balls with 3 fours and 4 sixes.
A skilled off-spinner, Jacks has also provided timely breakthroughs. Against Sri Lanka, he took 3 for 22 after scoring 21 runs with the bat.
He produced another all-round display against New Zealand, taking two for 23 and an unbeaten 32 to power England to a four-wicket win.
Lungi Ngidi has been an integral part of South Africa’s pace, emerging as their most consistent pacer throughout the tournament.
He took four wickets against Canada, followed by three for 26 against Afghanistan in an epic match decided by two super overs. Nkiti took three wickets against West Indies in the Super Eights.
Despite going wicketless in the match against India, Nkiti maintained the pressure with his off-cutters, conceding just 15 runs in his four overs.
Aiden Markrum has been central to the Proteas’ solid progress, compiling three half-centuries in eight matches. Promoted to the top of the order, Markram’s best performances came in the run-chase against New Zealand and the West Indies.
He scored an unbeaten 86 against the Black Caps to chase down 176 in just 17.1 overs, then repeated the feat with another unbeaten 86 against the West Indies to set up a target of 177 in 16.1 overs.
Although he only took one wicket, it was important – Ishan Kishan’s 76-run win against India.
Rachin Ravindra has proved valuable both with bat and ball for the Black Caps.
After the opening Super Eight clash against Pakistan was abandoned, the left-arm spinner turned the tide against Sri Lanka, scoring 32 before taking 4 for 27. Against England, he lost three wickets for 19 runs.
Tim Seifert was instrumental in New Zealand’s run to the final, scoring 274 runs in eight matches with eight half-centuries.
He opened the tournament in style with fifties against Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates, but his most important contribution came in the semi-final against South Africa.
Seifert scored 58 as the Black Caps successfully chased down 170 in 30 overs.
Although the US exited after the opening group stage, Shadley van Schalkwyk set the benchmark for bowlers at this World Cup. In just four matches, the American fast bowler took 13 wickets at a respectable economy rate – a joint-highest in this edition.
Van Schalkwyk picked up a four-wicket haul against India on 7 February, turning his pace perfectly and reducing the co-hosts to 77 for 6. Against Pakistan, he returned identical figures of four for 25 runs.
Sanju Samson has continued to improve with every game and has produced man-of-the-match performances in India’s last two matches.
The right-hander scored an unbeaten 97 off just 50 balls in the crucial Super Eights win over the West Indies, followed by a blistering 42-ball 89 in the semi-final.
The winner will be announced after Sunday’s final between England and New Zealand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.