So after much consultation with the rest of my selection panel (I am in a whatsapp group with about 30 other cricket fans)
This is the team we mostly agreed to:
1. David Warner
Second highest run scorer, 289 runs at an average of 48.16 and strike rate of 146. Scored in the most important run chases in the semi final and final. Awarded player of the tournament. No debate about his place in the side. Added bonus of being a left hander to make a great combination with a right hand openeing batsman.
2. Jos Butler
Runs scored: 269 (4th highest)
Average: 89.66 (Highest among batsman with 100+ runs)
Strike rate: 151.12 (Highest among batsman with 200+ runs)
A highly impressive average of 89.66 with a equally smashing strike rate of 151.12. Highest average among all batsman with 100+ runs in the tournament makes him the automatic selection for the second openers slot. Butler also gets the gloves. Rizwan is unlucky to miss out here who got 281 runs at an average of 70.25, Rizwans strike rate of 127.72 means Butler gets the nod ahead of him.
3. Babar Azam
Runs scored: 303 (Highest)
Average: 60.6
Srike rate: 126.25
Batting out of place from his usual position in this world cup but being the leading run scorer means he has to find a way into this side. Makes the key anchor in a side packed with power hitters. His lowish strike rate is not a concern as he will have the confidence to play a little more freely in such a powerhouse batting attack.
4. Mitchel Marsh
Runs scored: 185
Average: 61.66
Strike rate: 146.82
Again coming in one position lower than his usual number three spot. A last minute entry into the side with his man match winning knock in the final. Gets in ahead of Markam (162 runs, 54 avg, 145 sr) Assalanka (231 runs, 46 avg, 147 sr) and Williamson (216 runs, 43 avg, 115 sr) Among these it can be argued Assalanka deserved the position but again because of Marsh knock in the final when it mattered most, he gets in.
5. Liam Livingstone
Runs scored: 46
Balls faced: 29
Strike rate: 158.6
Average: 15.33
Wickets taken: 7
Economy rate: 5.7
Average: 14.33
Unlike the above 4 selections. This one is much more debatable. A surprise selection it may seem. Liam got 3 knocks in the 6 games England played in the world cup. Scores of 1 from 2, 28 from 17, and 17 from 10 gives him a total of 46 runs from 29 balls with a strike rate of 158.6 at an average of 15.33. But what many overlook is his skills as a two dimensional spin bowler, being able to bowl both off spin and leg spin. Liam picked up 6 wickets at an average of 14.33 qnd importantly a low economy rate of 5.7. There were many other contenders for this position including Moeen Ali who was also impressive with both bat and ball. If it was not for Liam's skill to bowl with leg and off spin Moeen would have perhaps got the nod ahead of him having scored more runs and taken 7 wickets.
6. Asif Ali
Balls faced: 24
Runs scored: 57
Srikte rate: 237.5
No other player would have had as great as impact as Asif Ali did to push his side over the line not once but in two games. His innings against New Zealand and Afghanistan is what got Pakistan over the line. A brilliant 27 from 12 and then a unbelievable 25 from 7 locks Asif Ali into our number 6 position.
7. Wanindu Hasaranga
Wickets: 16
Average: 9.75
Economy: 5.2
Strike rate: 11.2
8. Adam Zampa
Wickets: 13
Average: 12.07
Economy: 5.81
Strike rate: 12.4
9. Nortje
Wickets: 9
Average: 11.55
Economy: 5.37
Strike rate: 12.8
10. Boult
Wickets: 13
Average: 13.3
Economy: 6.25
Strike rate: 12.7
11. Hazlewood
Wickets: 11
Average: 15.9
Economy: 7.29
Strike rate: 13
Note: This line up is perhaps a batsman light with Hasaranga at 7. Although he does bat this position for Srilanka in the world cup and scored 34 from 21 balls against England. Other than this he had a string of low scores. It is possible to change the team combination and replace one of the pace bowlers with a genuine batsman with Marsh and Livingston fulfilling the 5th bowlers role. Or a pacer can also be replaced with an all rounder such as Moeen Ali or M Nabi, the latter will give this team a left arm finger spinner to add more variation to the attack and also will add depth to the batting.
Shaheen Shah Afridi did not make the side although he had some brilliant opening spells in the tournament. His stats do not seem to support his inclusion but anyone who watched him bowl with the new ball will know he would make a worthy candidate for this side. If he does play he should bowl 3 or even 4 overs up front with the new ball, especially if there are right hand batsman. Not advised to use him at the death or against left handers as he is not as effective.
Bumrah is also a worthy shout with very impressive stats. He has the best economy rate (5.08) among all bowlers who have 6 or more wickets in the tournament and would make the ideal death bowler.
Now for a runners up XI to play the above team in the grand final:
1. Rizwan
2. KL Rahul
3. Assalanka
4. Williamson
5. Moeen
6. David Wiese
7. Shadab
8. Rashid Khan
9. Woakes
10. Bumrah
11. Shaheen
