The captain’s of the World Twenty20
“The World Twenty20 of 2012 edition is knocking at the door. Let’s have a look at how the captains of the participating teams have faired so far in the Twenty20 internationals.” Writes Monika Arora
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| Captain's posing for T20 World Cup portrait at Sri Lanka |
From 2007 to 2012, the shortest format of cricket has entered in its 4th allusive edition. Amidst of speculations over new champion, let’s have a look at captains’ performances in T20Is so far.
A true leader of his persona who has become a national hero in the whole Afghan nation – Nawroz Mangal’s story is alike of fairy tale. With then coach Taj Malik’s efforts, the rise of this skipper promote cricket in a low-profile civil war affected Afghanistan.
A middle-order batsman and an occasional off break spinner, stats of Mangal are not impressive. Against Affiliate ICC members, he has scored 132 runs and bagged 3 wickets from 9 matches whereas against Test playing nations, his tally halts with 6 runs and 1 wicket from 2 world cup matches.
But in terms of leadership, this refugee turned cricketer has got all remarks with a score of 6 wins and 5 losses out of which 2 defeats came against Test playing nations.
From nowhere to leading sports covering channels, Afghanistan snatched headlines in 2010 where they made debut in T20 World Cup. Though, they lost against India and South Africa but applauds they grabbed in reply is now a history to remember.
Beginning of T20 International career with an elusive record; Captain of much talkative Australian Team – George Bailey, earlier in February 2012, levelled feat of Dave Gregory who captained the national side in his debut Test match back in 1877.
A Tasmanian middle order batsman who later approached in Top-order due to his attacking batting style, Bailey’s massive scoring at domestic circuit brought him national cap earlier this year against India.
Being nicknamed as ‘Hector’, Bailey has scored 119 runs from 7 matches with an ordinary strike rate of 116.66 given his due talent. While as skipper, his account credited him 3 wins, 3 losses and 1 tie.
Selectors’ gamble on a 16-year old boy back in 2005 made an entire world believe Rahim has the potential to last for the senior national side. His determined batting ensured premises of faith which made him youngest ever player to have appeared at Lord’s in Tests.
The 24-year old wicket-keeper batsman was struggling during his early days. His noticeable moment came in 2010 where he scored a century against India – fastest Test ton ever by any Bangladeshi batsman.
Later in 2011, he was succeeded by Shakib Al Hasan as full time skipper for the T20 side. Under his captaincy, Bangladesh registered 5 wins and 3 losses in all 8 matches till now. He has scored 137 runs from 8 matches since then and has improved his best score in T20I from 24 to 41*.
A promising Brit pacer with a college goer look – Stuart Broad is one of those charming fast bowlers who always strive for hunting. With having his name earned on both bowling and batting honours boards at Lord’s, Broad is a good batsman of no. 8 slot.
His cricket career started as a batsman which later transformed into a spearhead sensation which, however, suits him more. The richness he has in height is an added bonus to his bowling skills.
Broad succeeded Collingwood in 2011 and appointed England T20I captain. He led England to 5 wins, 3 losses and 1 no result alongside grabbing 6 wickets for own with an average of 36.16 from 9 matches.
Mahi, lucky captain, captain cool, Midas man and much more. After Kapil Dev, MS Dhoni has brought the second world cup to Indian glory. That 2007 World winning team was more a bundle of adolescents; filled with paper with respective positions no one ever thought they could have clinched the trophy. But Dhoni did it.
A composure batter of his style who believes in quick singles instead of setting down after 15-20 deliveries; a fine wicket-keeper who strive opposition behinds the stump as well – MSD has achieved enormous glory in his short span of International career.
Besides having two world cups in his legacy, MSD failed to repeat 2007 glory. He himself lacked with consistency in batting so as team faltered amidst of injuries and controversies. On captainship cards his stats are not impressive either – 14 win, 16 losses, 1 tie and 1 no result. Whilst his batting stands with 587 runs from 32 matches having career best 48*.
Be it the 50-over World Cup or the Intercontinental cup, this talented Irish batsman has proved himself many a times why you should notice him. Lefty striker of the ball, leading the Irish team from 2008, has brought new heights for Ireland Cricket with him.
During the 2007 Cricket World Cup – 85 vs Bangladesh in super eight; 2009 Affiliate Player of the Year; striker of 100th sixth in 2011 World Cup against India; led Ireland to the famous English debacle during the 2011 Cricket World Cup; first Irish to have scored 1000 runs for the calendar year 2007 – this man was once promoted by English county team Gloucestershire. Such a caliber!
His T20 performance, however, quite impressive against lower ranked team. His captaincy stats – with 15 wins, 11 losses and 2 no results – from 28 matches where he has scored 475 runs out of which 299 came against Affiliate nations including a century vs Afghanistan.
A clean hitter of the ball with aggressive and accurate in his approach. The one who can either start or finish the game for you – Ross Taylor is among those players who love to hit out of the park.
On his day, no matter who is the bowler you can’t stop him. Besides a powerful striker, Taylor is an occasional off-break spinner but a better fielder. Nevertheless, that all Kiwis are.
His T20I career so far has been full of cameos whereas his flourishing batting blossomed immensely after opting for captaincy. His batting average has risen up from 22.64 to 56.00 since then.
As a skipper for Kiwis, Taylor claimed 5 wins and 2 losses while scoring 112 runs from 7 matches.
A record holder of 78 Test innings without registering a duck; second African to reach 1000 Test runs after Graeme Pollock – AB de Villiers’ career graph shapes alike of his playing style.
A good striker of the ball, a fine fielder who hardly drops catches, a turned wicket-keeper to add little more variety in his talent – de Villiers appointed skipper of the South African team after Graeme Smith turned down from captaincy in 2011.
Now in a role of the skipper, de Villiers may lack experience but the player within him has earned enough T20 exposure. Since he took over leadership charge from Smith his batting disappointed with given talent – 89 runs from 6 matches. Nevertheless, he managed to finish with 3 wins, 2 losses and 1 no result stat.
Widely acknowledged as ‘Professor’ and now in the role of skipper – Hafeez is a handy all-rounder. Despite the fact of an in-out player for Pakistan cricket team, the talent of Hafeez is one of a kind.
Being an opener for the side whose off-spin bowling adds more variety to spin-oriented Pakistan team, fielding at point region is an added bonus.
On the note of captainship, Hafeez lacks with experience. Having a 5-match appearance as skipper, he failed to impress with ball – 95 runs and 2 wickets from two series vs Sri Lanka and Australia.
Nevertheless, he led Pakistan to victory on both events with a tally of 2 wins, 2 losses and 1 tie.
Class, elegance, perfection and timing merged with long International cricket experience having over 10k runs in both ODI and Tests – this Lankan skipper still dare to have a hunger for runs.
Left captaincy in 2009 in order to nurture future of Lankan Cricket, he gracefully accepted it for second since there is no savior after Dilshan’s resignation.
He is amongst few cricketers to have scored T20I century. Even the only classical artist after Chris Gayle and Suresh Raina. Besides a prominent batsman, Jayawardene has got a distinction in captaincy. Under him, Lanka has seen the rise of Sangakkara, Dilshan, Samaraweera and a high-end of Murlidharan.
He has scored 238 runs from 13 matches as skipper that brought him 9 wins and 4 losses.
First St. Lucian to appear in International Cricket; A record holder with ball in the debut Test match with a figure of 7/66 since 1950; first Windies to have a 5-wicket haul in T20I; first Windies to score fastest Test half-century – Sammy, in short, is a complete all-rounder.
Sammy’s ability to bowl long spells keep him close to the genuine bowlers club. However, he is a useful batter who could hit the ball out of the park wherever necessary. After disputes between Gayle and WICB, Sammy, in October 2010, named as captain of ODI and T20 team.
Sammy, in contrast, is more a bowler. His batting received acknowledgement later in his career. Even his T20 stats elaborating the same – 44 runs and 7 wickets from 10 matches he captained that ends with 5 wins and 5 losses.
First Zimbabwean to have scored two back-to-back centuries; two Under-19 World Cup appearances – the talent of Brendon Taylor was recognized at initial stage. His commitment and dominance in the game led early start of International career.
Though, Taylor is a fine striker of the ball but at times failed to convert starts into biggies. Henceforth, remarked as technical buggy, for which later he worked and improved. Besides a genuine hitter, Taylor has used to keep gloves since his school cricket days.
Even after performing in crunch situations which led Zimbabwe to crucial wins, Taylor never credited deserved recognition. Board’s autocratic policies always were a point of worry among cricketers.
After Elton Chigumbura stepped down from leadership in 2011, Brendon was replaced in place of him. Under Taylor, Zimbabwe still searching for winning glimpse as they lost in all 6 matches where Brendon managed 149 runs with 75* his career best.
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Nawroz Mangal (Afghanistan)
A true leader of his persona who has become a national hero in the whole Afghan nation – Nawroz Mangal’s story is alike of fairy tale. With then coach Taj Malik’s efforts, the rise of this skipper promote cricket in a low-profile civil war affected Afghanistan.
A middle-order batsman and an occasional off break spinner, stats of Mangal are not impressive. Against Affiliate ICC members, he has scored 132 runs and bagged 3 wickets from 9 matches whereas against Test playing nations, his tally halts with 6 runs and 1 wicket from 2 world cup matches.
But in terms of leadership, this refugee turned cricketer has got all remarks with a score of 6 wins and 5 losses out of which 2 defeats came against Test playing nations.
From nowhere to leading sports covering channels, Afghanistan snatched headlines in 2010 where they made debut in T20 World Cup. Though, they lost against India and South Africa but applauds they grabbed in reply is now a history to remember.
George Bailey (Australia)
Beginning of T20 International career with an elusive record; Captain of much talkative Australian Team – George Bailey, earlier in February 2012, levelled feat of Dave Gregory who captained the national side in his debut Test match back in 1877.
A Tasmanian middle order batsman who later approached in Top-order due to his attacking batting style, Bailey’s massive scoring at domestic circuit brought him national cap earlier this year against India.
Being nicknamed as ‘Hector’, Bailey has scored 119 runs from 7 matches with an ordinary strike rate of 116.66 given his due talent. While as skipper, his account credited him 3 wins, 3 losses and 1 tie.
Mushfiqur Rahim (Bangladesh)
Selectors’ gamble on a 16-year old boy back in 2005 made an entire world believe Rahim has the potential to last for the senior national side. His determined batting ensured premises of faith which made him youngest ever player to have appeared at Lord’s in Tests.
The 24-year old wicket-keeper batsman was struggling during his early days. His noticeable moment came in 2010 where he scored a century against India – fastest Test ton ever by any Bangladeshi batsman.
Later in 2011, he was succeeded by Shakib Al Hasan as full time skipper for the T20 side. Under his captaincy, Bangladesh registered 5 wins and 3 losses in all 8 matches till now. He has scored 137 runs from 8 matches since then and has improved his best score in T20I from 24 to 41*.
Stuart Broad (England)
A promising Brit pacer with a college goer look – Stuart Broad is one of those charming fast bowlers who always strive for hunting. With having his name earned on both bowling and batting honours boards at Lord’s, Broad is a good batsman of no. 8 slot.
His cricket career started as a batsman which later transformed into a spearhead sensation which, however, suits him more. The richness he has in height is an added bonus to his bowling skills.
Broad succeeded Collingwood in 2011 and appointed England T20I captain. He led England to 5 wins, 3 losses and 1 no result alongside grabbing 6 wickets for own with an average of 36.16 from 9 matches.
MS Dhoni (India)
Mahi, lucky captain, captain cool, Midas man and much more. After Kapil Dev, MS Dhoni has brought the second world cup to Indian glory. That 2007 World winning team was more a bundle of adolescents; filled with paper with respective positions no one ever thought they could have clinched the trophy. But Dhoni did it.
A composure batter of his style who believes in quick singles instead of setting down after 15-20 deliveries; a fine wicket-keeper who strive opposition behinds the stump as well – MSD has achieved enormous glory in his short span of International career.
Besides having two world cups in his legacy, MSD failed to repeat 2007 glory. He himself lacked with consistency in batting so as team faltered amidst of injuries and controversies. On captainship cards his stats are not impressive either – 14 win, 16 losses, 1 tie and 1 no result. Whilst his batting stands with 587 runs from 32 matches having career best 48*.
William Porterfield (Ireland)
Be it the 50-over World Cup or the Intercontinental cup, this talented Irish batsman has proved himself many a times why you should notice him. Lefty striker of the ball, leading the Irish team from 2008, has brought new heights for Ireland Cricket with him.
During the 2007 Cricket World Cup – 85 vs Bangladesh in super eight; 2009 Affiliate Player of the Year; striker of 100th sixth in 2011 World Cup against India; led Ireland to the famous English debacle during the 2011 Cricket World Cup; first Irish to have scored 1000 runs for the calendar year 2007 – this man was once promoted by English county team Gloucestershire. Such a caliber!
His T20 performance, however, quite impressive against lower ranked team. His captaincy stats – with 15 wins, 11 losses and 2 no results – from 28 matches where he has scored 475 runs out of which 299 came against Affiliate nations including a century vs Afghanistan.
Ross Taylor (New Zealand)
A clean hitter of the ball with aggressive and accurate in his approach. The one who can either start or finish the game for you – Ross Taylor is among those players who love to hit out of the park.
On his day, no matter who is the bowler you can’t stop him. Besides a powerful striker, Taylor is an occasional off-break spinner but a better fielder. Nevertheless, that all Kiwis are.
His T20I career so far has been full of cameos whereas his flourishing batting blossomed immensely after opting for captaincy. His batting average has risen up from 22.64 to 56.00 since then.
As a skipper for Kiwis, Taylor claimed 5 wins and 2 losses while scoring 112 runs from 7 matches.
AB de Villiers (South Africa)
A record holder of 78 Test innings without registering a duck; second African to reach 1000 Test runs after Graeme Pollock – AB de Villiers’ career graph shapes alike of his playing style.
A good striker of the ball, a fine fielder who hardly drops catches, a turned wicket-keeper to add little more variety in his talent – de Villiers appointed skipper of the South African team after Graeme Smith turned down from captaincy in 2011.
Now in a role of the skipper, de Villiers may lack experience but the player within him has earned enough T20 exposure. Since he took over leadership charge from Smith his batting disappointed with given talent – 89 runs from 6 matches. Nevertheless, he managed to finish with 3 wins, 2 losses and 1 no result stat.
Mohammad Hafeez (Pakistan)
Widely acknowledged as ‘Professor’ and now in the role of skipper – Hafeez is a handy all-rounder. Despite the fact of an in-out player for Pakistan cricket team, the talent of Hafeez is one of a kind.
Being an opener for the side whose off-spin bowling adds more variety to spin-oriented Pakistan team, fielding at point region is an added bonus.
On the note of captainship, Hafeez lacks with experience. Having a 5-match appearance as skipper, he failed to impress with ball – 95 runs and 2 wickets from two series vs Sri Lanka and Australia.
Nevertheless, he led Pakistan to victory on both events with a tally of 2 wins, 2 losses and 1 tie.
Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka)
Class, elegance, perfection and timing merged with long International cricket experience having over 10k runs in both ODI and Tests – this Lankan skipper still dare to have a hunger for runs.
Left captaincy in 2009 in order to nurture future of Lankan Cricket, he gracefully accepted it for second since there is no savior after Dilshan’s resignation.
He is amongst few cricketers to have scored T20I century. Even the only classical artist after Chris Gayle and Suresh Raina. Besides a prominent batsman, Jayawardene has got a distinction in captaincy. Under him, Lanka has seen the rise of Sangakkara, Dilshan, Samaraweera and a high-end of Murlidharan.
He has scored 238 runs from 13 matches as skipper that brought him 9 wins and 4 losses.
Darren Sammy (West Indies)
First St. Lucian to appear in International Cricket; A record holder with ball in the debut Test match with a figure of 7/66 since 1950; first Windies to have a 5-wicket haul in T20I; first Windies to score fastest Test half-century – Sammy, in short, is a complete all-rounder.
Sammy’s ability to bowl long spells keep him close to the genuine bowlers club. However, he is a useful batter who could hit the ball out of the park wherever necessary. After disputes between Gayle and WICB, Sammy, in October 2010, named as captain of ODI and T20 team.
Sammy, in contrast, is more a bowler. His batting received acknowledgement later in his career. Even his T20 stats elaborating the same – 44 runs and 7 wickets from 10 matches he captained that ends with 5 wins and 5 losses.
Brendon Taylor (Zimbabwe)
First Zimbabwean to have scored two back-to-back centuries; two Under-19 World Cup appearances – the talent of Brendon Taylor was recognized at initial stage. His commitment and dominance in the game led early start of International career.
Though, Taylor is a fine striker of the ball but at times failed to convert starts into biggies. Henceforth, remarked as technical buggy, for which later he worked and improved. Besides a genuine hitter, Taylor has used to keep gloves since his school cricket days.
Even after performing in crunch situations which led Zimbabwe to crucial wins, Taylor never credited deserved recognition. Board’s autocratic policies always were a point of worry among cricketers.
After Elton Chigumbura stepped down from leadership in 2011, Brendon was replaced in place of him. Under Taylor, Zimbabwe still searching for winning glimpse as they lost in all 6 matches where Brendon managed 149 runs with 75* his career best.
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This article first published on cricketsoccer.com !
