From Dhoni to the Windies: World T20 awards

Barnaby Read 17:46 04/04/2016
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  • MS Dhoni, West Indies and the associates made World T20 headlines for the right reasons.

    The 2016 World T20 is over, with West Indies/England crowned champions after a hugely entertaining tournament in India.

    Sport360 were there taking you through all the action in India and it’s now time to dish out the awards and present the plaques.

    Did we miss anything? Who would you like to present a trophy to? Use #360fans across social media or comment below to have your say.

    BEST MATCH – INDIA vs AUSTRALIA

    The tournament was littered with matches that went to the wire, with some moments of pure cricketing joy and heartache. However, one match stands out – India’s Super 10s victory over Australia that was effectively a quarter-final showdown. Virat Kohli’s magnificence lit up Chandigarh in an innings of substance and style that ignited the nation.

    BEST STORY – MS DHONI’S NEW MATE

    An unwitting new celebrity was created by India captain MS Dhoni as he invited a Cricket Australia journalist to share the stage with him after his nation’s World T20 exit. It was a smart PR move from Dhoni that delighted many local journalists but also frustrated a number who saw through his ploy to turn the tables on a media interested in knowing his future.

    Though it was very much a pre-planned move, it caused the greatest stir in the press box, leading to Indian reporters and TV stations to follow up with the new ‘star’ of the tournament.

    BEST CATCH – SOUMYA SARKAR (BANGLADESH)

    There are plenty to choose from but this effort from Sarkar was a belter. Something special was needed to remove Pakistan’s Mohammad Hafeez and the Bangladeshi duly delivered with a stunner in the outfield. Sarkar danced over the boundary, keeping the ball in play and completing the catch with alarming ease.

    WORD OF THE TOURNAMENT – ‘FICKLE’

    There wasn’t a post match press conference that went by without the defeated captain explaining that everyone loses T20 cricket matches because it’s so “fickle”. Did that final over cost you in the end by not getting more than six runs? “Well, T20 is a fickle game, these things happen.” It even ended up rubbing off on some journalists. “Because T20 cricket is such a fickle game, do you think…” Fickle this, fickle that, fick off!

    MOHAMMAD SAMI AWARD FOR POOR FIELDING – MOHAMMAD SAMI

    Claiming the inaugural award and having it named in his honour, no-one can outdo Mohammad Sami in the fielding stakes. His effort against Australia was truly abysmal, conceding an all-run four as the Pakistan pacer ambled across the outfield and showed no sign of any urgency to get the ball back to his ‘keeper. It perfectly summed up Pakistan’s woes in the tournament.

    BIGGEST SHOCK – AFGHANISTAN vs WEST INDIES

    The cricketing world rejoiced in Afghanistan’s victory over the West Indies as the team pulled off a major upset against the eventual finalists. Afghanistan’s cricketers played joyful cricket throughout the tournament and gained yet more new fans taking delight in their bold approach. The sight of Chris Gayle joining in the celebrations showed just how much Afghanistan are enjoyed.

    BEST FIGHT – THE ASSOCIATES

    There is not one winner here but all the lesser nations take home the gong for their challenge of the establishment. Resigned to a qualifying tournament of their own, the Associate Nations took the opportunity to tell media of their plight and showed they will not be forced into the background of world cricket without putting up a fight.

    The likes of Oman, Afghanistan and Hong Kong added to their cause with some fine cricket as well, furthering the disbelief that these nations will likely not feature at another ICC tournament for some time.

    BEST CELEBRATION – WEST INDIES

    If there is a better international side at celebrating than the West Indies then we want to see them. The team certainly enjoy their cricket and the ‘Champion’ anthem that has followed them around this tournament has surpassed the Gangnam Style dancing that went hand in hand with their victorious 2012 campaign.

    The win over India was a perfect example, the whole side partying long into the night, making sure they enjoyed every moment of their success and making everyone well aware of their celebrations. The final was no different, captain Darren Sammy saying he hadn’t shut his eyes by midday the next day.

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