Three players each from Sri Lanka and the Netherlands have been selected in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023 Team of the Tournament. Champions Sri Lanka see bowling duo Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana along with opener Pathum Nissanka make the cut, while fellow qualifiers the Netherlands are represented by all-rounders Vikramjit Singh and Bas de Leede along with captain Scott Edwards, according to ICC. Hosts Zimbabwe also have three selections, including Player of the Tournament Sean Williams, with Scotland contributing the remaining two.
ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023 Team of the Tournament
Pathum Nissanka (Sri Lanka) 417 runs at an average of 69.50 in eight matches with two centuries and two fifties
Vikramjit Singh (Netherlands) 326 runs at an average of 40.75 and six wickets
Brandon McMullen (Scotland) 364 runs average 52.00 in eight matches with two centuries and fifty, 13 wickets at 17.52
Sean Williams (Zimbabwe) 600 runs at an average of 100.00 in seven matches with three centuries and two fifties, three wickets
Bas de Leede (Netherlands) 285 runs at an average of 47.50 in seven matches with one century, 15 wickets at 22.13
Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe) 325 runs at an average of 65.00 in seven matches at fifty century each, nine wickets at 29.77
Scott Edwards (Netherlands) 314 runs in eight games including four fifties at an average of 62.80
Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka) 22 wickets at an average of 12.90
Maheesh Theekshana (Sri Lanka) 21 wickets at an average of 12.23
Chris Sole (Scotland) 11 wickets at an average of 25.00
Richard Ngarava (Zimbabwe) 14 wickets at an average of 19.28
Pathum Nissanka opens the bat thanks to two centuries in Zimbabwe, helping him finish the tournament as the second-highest runs scorer, with 417. Nissanka produced a crucial 101* off just 102 balls to help the Lions beat the hosts, as well as an important 75 hit to help beat Scotland.
His opening partner is Vikramjit Singh, who played bat and ball for the Netherlands as they made their return to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup for the first time since 2011. Singh was named Player of the Match as he brought up his maiden ODI century against Oman en route to over 300 tournament runs while also contributing six wickets, including figures of two for 12 in the final.
The first Scottish selection for the side is Brandon McMullen at number three thanks to his two centuries, including a knock of 136 against Oman. McMullen was named Player of the Match that day and repeated that performance against the West Indies as he also impressed with the ball, taking 3 for 32 as Scotland knocked out the two-time champions.
Player of the tournament Sean Williams make up the top four, with the Zimbabwe captain finishing the tournament as top scorer with 600. Williams led from the front with the bat ahead of the hosts, who narrowly missed out on qualifying and cracked the top of the tournament. score of 174 against the US and another 142 against Oman to also boast the highest success rate of the qualifier of 139.21.
Dutch hero Bas de Leede then comes in at number five, fresh off his stunning display against Scotland. De Leede became only the fifth player to score a century and take a five wicket haul in the same ODI as he recorded figures of 123 and five for 52 to take the Netherlands over the line. But it wasn’t just that match in which the all-rounder shone, as he took 15 wickets during the tournament and also contributed 285 runs.
Sikandar Raza continues mid rank after the stalwart Zimbabwean was fantastic on home soil. Raza hit a stunning 52-ball hundred to inspire the Chevrons to victory against the Netherlands, while also posting figures of four for 55 with the ball. The 37-year-old starred as Zimbabwe beat the West Indies to collect his second Player of the Match award of the tournament.
Raza’s 325 tournament runs are just 11 more than the next selected player on the team, with Dutch captain Scott Edwards also taking up the gauntlet. The Dutch skipper scored twice for his crew en route to seal qualification, while also proving a safe pair of hands behind the stumps with 10 catches and two stumpings.
A pair of Sri Lankan bowlers then take the next two places, while great performances from Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana helped their side to both qualification and the overall title.
Hasaranga finished as the top wicket-taker in the tournament with 22 dismissals, averaging just 12.90, becoming just the second bowler to win three consecutive five-wicket draws in ODIs after doing so against the UAE, Oman and Ireland.
Only one wicket behind his compatriot, Theekshana shone when he was most needed, earning Player of the Match awards against Scotland, Zimbabwe and the West Indies, also taking four wickets in the final against the Netherlands.
Scotland’s Chris Sole is the penultimate addition to the bowling unit as he took 11 wickets, including a memorable Player of the Match performance in his side’s stunning victory over Zimbabwe.
The final selection is Zimbabwe’s Richard Ngarava as the home favorite claimed 14 wickets at an average of 19.28, including four wickets against Nepal in the tournament opener.
(This story has not been edited by DailyExpertNews staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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