ICC World Cup Qualifiers 2018 - Best XI of the tournament

Afghanistan and West Indies managed to book the final two slots in the ICC World Cup 2019 after their scintillating performance in the qualifiers. Afghanistan’s campaign kick-started with three consecutive defeats and they needed a miracle to get the better of some the tournament’s favorites like Zimbabwe and Scotland.

After winning their 4th game against Nepal, they got the better of West Indies, which remains to be the result of the tournament. Both Windies and Afghanistan will now collide in the final of the qualifiers, a game which holds the least significance as both sides are already into celebrations. Afghanistan’s win against Ireland confirmed their spot in the final 10 who will fly to England.

Windies on the other side were one of the favorites to go all the way in the tournament. Henceforth, it doesn’t come as a huge surprise that they have booked their spot to fight for the greatest trophy. As the tournament comes to a close, let’s take a look at the best-combined XI from all these spirited teams who put on a wonderful exhibition.

Openers – Evin Lewis and Kyle Coetzer

Evin Lewis played some outstanding knocks for the Windies at the top of the order and a few of his knocks proved to be decisive. The southpaw displayed great perseverance and power-hitting skills and was a pivotal cog in the Caribbean lineup. He amassed 289 runs in 7 matches at an average of 41.29, which includes 3 fifties.

Scotland would never have had such a wonderful campaign if it had not been for their skipper Kyle Coetzer. The 33-year-old was in a rich vein of form entering this tournament and registered 276 runs at an average of 55.20. Scotland narrowly missed out on World Cup qualification, but Coetzer will be proud of what his team has achieved.

Middle Order – Brendan Taylor, Marlon Samuels, Mohammad Nabi

Undoubtedly the best batsman of the tournament, Brendan Taylor was breathing fire this tournament. He finished as the highest run-getter, amassing 457 runs at an average of 65.29, which includes 2 centuries and a half-century. He would be devastated by a fact that Zimbabwe didn’t qualify, but he can pat himself on his back for doing his best.

Marlon Samuels is one of the senior most players in the Windies lineup and his presence in the team for the Qualifiers proved to be crucial. The 37-year-old registered 287 runs in 7 games which included 3 half-centuries. Mohammad Nabi was outstanding with the bat for the Afghans and he also qualifies as an all-rounder for this side. But it was his performance with the bat that earned him a place in the XI, registering 218 runs in 5 games.

All-rounders – Sikandar Raza and Jason Holder (C)

Well, there’s only one thing to say to Sikandar Raza – TAKE A BOW! If Zimbabwe had qualified for the World Cup, he would’ve been the player of the tournament without any debates. With the bat and ball, he was tremendous for Zimbabwe. He scored 319 runs with the bat and remained the second highest-run scorer this tournament to go with 15 wickets with his off-spin.

Windies skipper Jason Holder is an inevitable name on the list after leading his side from the front so wonderfully. The 26-year-old picked up 15 wickets with the ball and also registered 211 runs which include 2 fifties. The tall, lanky pacer will be the captain of this combined team.

Bowlers – Safyaan Sharif, Roelof van der Merwe, Rashid Khan, Boyd Rankin

The spinners for this wonderful contingent would be Roelof van der Merwe and Rashid Khan. Van der Merwe picked up 16 wickets in the tournament and despite Netherlands’ poor performance, his rendition did catch the eyes of many people. Rashid Khan’s campaign began on a somber note, but the top-ranked bowler finished with 16 wickets, the joint second-best on the list of most wickets this tournament.

Scotland’s player of the tournament Safyaan Sharif’s inclusion barely surprises anyone. The 26-year-old fast bowler ran riot with the ball and pulled off the best performance of his career. With 17 wickets in 7 matches, Sharif remained the highest-wicket taker this tournament. Irish fast bowler Boyd Rankin displayed a spirited performance as well, picking up 15 wickets in 7 games.