Virat Kohli and Rashid Khan among the top 10 best T20I cricketers in the world

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  • Rashid Khan will be a key man for Afghanistan

    With the Twenty20 format being the place where players can earn their riches and stars can quickly become household names, we look at 10 of the best T20I talents currently plying their trade in international cricket at the moment.

    In no particular order, here they are:

    RASHID KHAN (AFGHANISTAN)

    The talented leg-spinner, who was recently retained for big-money by Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL auction, is cricket’s next big thing and at just 19, is already making waves. With Afghanistan’s status in the game growing, we should be seeing more of a man who is also handy with the bat.

    VIRAT KOHLI (INDIA)

    Heralded as the world’s best batsman across all formats, the Indian captain averages an indomitable 52.86 in the format and that’s despite not yet having scored a T20I hundred. Nevertheless, with virtually every stroke in his locker, a big-game presence and consistency in the bucket load, the 29-year-old is indispensable.

    Kohli has all the shots in his locker.

    Kohli has all the shots in his locker.

    MITCHELL SANTNER (NEW ZEALAND)

    The Kiwi is the world’s top-ranked bowler and all-action with ball and bat. His slow, left-arm delivery and ability to mix it up with pace and variety is certainly unique. Santner has a knack for getting good batsmen out and has a frightening strike rate of 129.77 with the bat. Class act.

    SHAKIB AL HASAN (BANGLADESH)

    Another special talent, the Bangladesh all-rounder is the leader of his trade when it comes to contributions with the willow and ball in hand. He is a big-game performer and carries the hopes of his country with little fluster. 73 wickets at just over 20 and a strike rate above 121 showcase his skill.

    There are not man better T20 all-rounders than Shakib.

    There are not many better T20 all-rounders than Shakib.

    AARON FINCH (AUSTRALIA)

    Few players are more destructive at the top of the order than the Australian opener. Seemingly built to whack the ball hard and far, the 31-year-old boasts an unreal 148 strike rate and 1,132 runs to date at an average of 37.73 from 33 matches. His selection here was never in doubt.

    BABAR AZAM (PAKISTAN)

    The Lahore-born man is a fluent batsman and at home in the quickfire conditions of T20 cricket. Having climbed to the top of the ICC batting rankings in the format last month, it was further proof that the cousin of the Akmal brothers is set to become one of marquees names of Pakistani cricket despite being just 23.

    Azam rose to the top of the top of the T20 rankings last year.

    Azam rose to the top of the batting rankings last month.

    COLIN MUNRO (NEW ZEALAND)

    The bruising New Zealander is one of the biggest hitters around and has a strike rate topping 157, as well as three international tons, to boot. At home when he is ready to wind up and whack it square of the wicket, Munro can take apart any attack on his day and is to be feared.

    BEN STOKES (ENGLAND)

    The Rajasthan Royals splashed big cash to acquire the England all-rounder’s services for the IPL, and despite a court appearance hanging over him and limited playing time of late, there is no doubt Stokes is one of the standouts in the game and the man with that real crowd appeal.

    Ben Stokes remains highly in demand when it comes to T20 cricket.

    Ben Stokes remains high in demand when it comes to T20 cricket.

    JASPRIT BUMRAH (INDIA)

    A real lynchpin for India in attack, Bumrah (Mumbai Indians) was one of three players retained ahead of the IPL auction and offers pace, guile and uneering accuracy with his slingy action. He has an uncanny capability of keeping things tight at the death and seeing his team over the line in tight situations.

    MITCHELL STARC (AUSTRALIA)

    Yet another man who was lapped up by the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL Auction, the Baggy Green quick is capable of bowling at ferocious pace whilst also having the skill at his disposal to outfox many of the best batters in the world. 13 wickets 18.86 in 22 international matches is outstanding.

    Starc can bowl a mean yorker at frightening pace.

    Starc can bowl a mean yorker at frightening pace.

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