Have you ever thought what the best T20I XI would look like if it were in the hands of a spin magician? From explosive openers to crafty spinners, this XI reads like a fantasy cricket fan’s ultimate wishlist. Shamsi’s all-time T20I XI boasts power and precision, with extraordinary openers, spin wizards, and death bowlers filled with legends who have defined the shortest format. Shamsi’s dream XI reads like a T20 hall of fame, packed with hitters, finishers, and wicket-taking wizards who can turn any game on its head.
Power-Packed Top Order
Any T20 side is built on a sturdy top order, and Shamsi was right on the money with his selections for openers in Chris Gayle and Quinton de Kock. The “Universe Boss” Gayle doesn’t need an introduction; his record of demolishing bowling attacks in a few overs can send shudders down the spines of bowlers on all sides of the world. Conversely, de Kock is capable of bringing lightning aggression to counteract Gayle’s pure power. At No. 3, Shamsi has the great Virat Kohli, the recognised greatest T20I batsman ever, coming into the fold. Now that Kohli retired from T20Is with the discontinuation of the format in 2024, Kohli is unrivalled in his chase-master skillset and consistency. Following Kohli are fellow South Africans AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis, arriving in a formidable batting order, injecting more firepower for balance, fireworks with stability.
The Game-Changing All-Rounders
Having assembled a formidable batting line-up, Shamsi is now turning her attention to all-rounders who can impact the game with bat and ball. At No. 6 is MS Dhoni, a captain, wicket-keeper, and finisher. Clearly a smart pick, the man who led India to win the T20 World Cup in 2007 combines planning as a tactical manoeuvre with finishing as a unique club. At No. 7 is Andre Russell, providing pure muscle, plus a pace bowling all-rounder’s backup; Russell is an X-factor who can make a difficult situation on the pitch better in crucial moments! Honestly, Shamsi was really onto something naming Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan as the second spinner (behind Imran Tahir); this leg-spin wizard has a distinct talent for taking wickets at valuable times.
The Fearsome Bowling Unit
A Dream T20 XI is not created without a wack of dominant bowlers, and Shamsi certainly did that. Again, for the pace department, Shamsi has picked the lethal duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Mitchell Starc, two bowlers who not only make batters break into a sweat but also consistently hit their lines and lengths with devastating express pace, capable of turning any match on its head in a matter of overs. Bumrah was Player of the Tournament for the 2024 T20 World Cup, demonstrating world-class death overs bowling, and with the help of the left-arm swing angle of Starc’s delivery, this is a lethal combination. With Rashid Khan and Imran Tahir spinning the web, even the most fearless batters will hesitate before facing them.
FAQs
- Who picked this all-time T20I XI?
Former RCB spinner Tabraiz Shamsi selected it.
- Who brings the ultimate all-round firepower to Shamsi’s middle order?
The West Indies powerhouse can swing momentum with both bat and ball, making him a perfect No. 7 X-factor.
- Why does this XI stand out as a must-watch fantasy squad for T20 lovers?
It features legends who have consistently influenced and defined T20 cricket.
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