ICC World T20 2016: 5 things that no one saw coming

The ICC World T20 juggernaut is over and it was replete with wavering fortunes and overwhelming emotions. From upsets to meandering matches, from humdingers to nail biters, we witnessed everything. And what an end with 4 consecutive sixes to seal the tournament. It summed up West Indies and their power hitting. The emotions were bared out on the field.

In the end, the team that held their nerves in the critical moments eventually triumphed. The pitches though came under scrutiny but then at the end the varying nature of the pitches made for compelling viewing and strategy and tactics had to be spot on. Team compositions became extremely important and application took centre stage.

With T20 one cannot expect teams to follow a set pattern and hence it is no surprise that the teams which were flexible in the approach made it to the semi-finals and eventually the finals. There were, however, many quite a few surprising elements that no one would have predicted and took everyone by surprise.

Here are 5 things that took everyone by surprise.

1.) Omission of Tim Southee and Trent Boult

Both Tim Southee and Trent Boult were instrumental during the 2015 World Cup campaign down under, and yet they were picked in the starting eleven right through the tournament. Kane Williamson and Mike Hesson were very astute when it came down to picking sides and they regularly used the phrase ‘horses for courses’. The move worked beautifully in the very first match when the New Zealand spinners spun a web and humiliated India on a raging turner in Nagpur. Yet, one of the two could have been included for Semi-Finals when Adam Milne was preferred ahead and was rendered ineffective by a belligerent Jason Roy.

One wonders if the experience of the duo could have been handy.

2.) Dale Steyn ineffectiveness

Steyn was disappointing to say the least

One of the greatest red-ball bowlers to have ever graced the cricketing field, Dale Steyn was just a pale shadow of his abilities in this tournament. Steyn was ‘rested’ after a shocking performance against England where he was taken to the cleaners in his 2 overs in which he was taken apart for 35 runs. He was then included in the team against Sri Lanka after both teams had been ousted from the tournament. It was something no one would have predicted.With the next ICC tournament almost 2 years away, have we seen the last of Dale Steyn in a global tournament?

3.) Suresh Raina horror show

Raina was in shocking form and the short pitched ball troubled him

Suresh Raina might have his struggles in the longer format and he might been out of his comfort zone when playing on fast and bouncy tracks, but then there will be few who will doubt his ability in T20, especially in home conditions. It was all perfectly set up for Raina, who has set the stage alight on so many occasions in the Indian Premier League, but his lean patch certainly came a rude shock for the Indian fans. He scored 41 runs across 4 innings in which 30 came against Bangladesh. His continued struggled against the short ball was back again, and he hopped and hobbled as soon as the ball was pitched anywhere close to back of a length.

He enjoys the trust of skipper MS Dhoni, but has time run out for the southpaw?

4.) England chasing down the target of 229

England are now a force to reckon with in Limited overs cricket

England have certainly turned a corner as far as their white ball cricket is concerned. England have always been associated with mundane tactics that are too stats-driven and are way behind what it should be. It was exposed during the 2015 Cricket World cup when their staid approach was the root cause of their ouster when they were beaten by Bangladesh.

Ever since that setback England have got their act together and under the leadership of Andrew Strauss (Director of Cricket) and Trevor Bayliss (Coach). They have brought in specialist players for this format and have given them freedom to express themselves. It was on display against South Africa when the new England smashed and plundered the Protea attack all over Wankhede and got to the improbable target of 230.

They came all but clinching the trophy, but then the giant Carlos Brathwaite thwarted them in the end.

5.) Afghanistan toppling West Indies

After coming close many times, the spirited Afghans finally won

For all their problems back home with their cricket administration and the never-ending dispute between the players and the officials, West Indies were at their entertaining best once again in the format that suits them perfectly. They muscled their way and clinched that trophy, but were shell-shocked by Afghanistan.

Afghanistan has been another heart-warming story and enough has been said and written about them. They have displayed excellent spirit on the field too and have captured the imaginations of cricket fans. They were hardly even outplayed and came close against England only to be thwarted by Moeen Ali. But they were no to be brushed aside as they met table-toppers West Indies. West Indies were set a modest target of 124, but the spirited Afghans were brilliant with the ball and in the field and defended the target with aplomb. It was a fitting way to end their campaign and they have a bright future ahead is a colossal understatement.