5 surprise picks for ICC World T20 2016

All the 16 teams participating in the ICC World T20 2016 announced their squad after Sri Lanka became the last country to do so on Thursday. While the majority of the squads were as expected, there were also quite a few surprise picks for the ICC World T20 2016.Sides like New Zealand and reigning champions Sri Lanka stuck to their main guns, while teams like India, Australia and South Africa had a few surprise picks in their squad for the World T20, which starts on March 15 in India.Here are the 5 surprise picks for ICC World T20 2016:

#12 Dale Steyn

Steyn has been plagued by injuries recently

Few can argue Dale Steyn isn't one of the finest fast bowlers of his generation. But his recent injury record and the fact that he has not played a single T20I since 2014 World T20 semi-final against India makes his inclusion in the squad ahead of Morne Morkel surprising.

It looks even more of a gamble when you consider that Morkel has a good record in the IPL of late, whereas Steyn hasn't been at his effective best. Add to that the fact that Steyn hasn't played a lot in the last few months due to injuries and you wonder whether South Africa made the right call in picking Steyn over Morkel.

However, Steyn's impressive career T20 record for South Africa, where he has an economy rate of under 6.5 and strike rate under 15, mean that while his inclusion might be surprising, he has the potential to do well and help his side clinch their maiden world title.

#11 Khurram Manzoor

Manzoor has never played a T20I for Pakistan

When a player picked for a major tournament doesn't have the support of his head coach or the chairman of his country's cricketing board, you know he wasn't the obvious candidate. And that is precisely what happened with Khurram Manzoor who was picked in Pakistan's World T20 squad despite Waqar Younis and Shaharyar having concerns over whether he is the best batsman to replace Ahmed Shehzad.

While Manzoor has the backing of his captain Shahid Afridi, he is by no means the obvious replacement for Shehzad, whose recent poor form meant his exclusion was inevitable. Although the 29-year-old has already represented Pakistan in both Tests and ODIs, he hasn't played for his country in any format since August 2014.

Manzoor's career T20 record is average at best, the fact that he was not selected by any of the five teams in the ongoing Pakistan Super League makes his inclusion especially surprising. If he does turn out alright, the captain will be vindicated while if he doesn't, the coach will, which makes his selection remains the most contentious among their World T20 squad.

#10 Liam Dawson

Dawson earned his place on the back of impressive performances for the England Lions

Uncapped Hampshire all-rounder Liam Dawson was arguably the biggest surprise in an England World T20, which largely picked itself. The former England U-19 captain, who has established himself as his county's leading spinner and most versatile player, will be a part of England's squad despite coach Trevor Bayliss admitting he has never seen him play.

The 25-year-old takes his place in the squad on the back of impressive performances for the England Lions in the recent series against Pakistan A in the UAE. In conditions that are similar to the ones he is likely to face in India, Dawson shone with both bat and ball as he picked up at least a wicket and 20 runs in every match of the five match one-day series.

While there is little doubt that Dawson is a more than handy spinner, useful and versatile batsman and an excellent fielder, the fact that his overall T20 record isn't especially noteworthy speaks about his all-round ability and emphasises that he is a jack of all trades player rather than a master of one.

#9 Pawan Negi

Negi has never represented India in any format

After being overlooked in favour of Axar Patel and Harbhajan Singh for the limited-overs series against Australia, Amit Mishra was once again passed up by the Indian selectors who picked Harbhajan and the uncapped Pawan Negi, to provide support to their spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in the World T20 squad.

After his latest snub, Mishra must be wondering what he must do to get a regular run in the side. Negi, on the other hand, will be thanking all his lucky stars as his inclusion in the World T20 squad helped him earn a lucrative IPL contract for the upcoming season. Although surprising, Negi's inclusion isn't without reason.

With Harbhajan likely to come in as Ashwin's replacement, Negi is the perfect player to take Jadeja's place if the all-rounder is somehow unavailable. Much like Jadeja, Negi's tight left-arm spin is complemented by his big-hitting ability and his exploits in the recently concluded Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy are proof of just that.

Whether he will get a game or not, remains to be seen but he is without a doubt, the most surprising pick in what is otherwise a settled Indian T20I side.

#8 Peter Nevill

Nevill has never played a limited-overs match for Australia

Perhaps the keeping of Matthew Wade and Cameron Bancroft during the limited-overs series against India in January, played some part but it is still surprising nonetheless to see Australia pick a 30-year-old wicketkeeper who has never played a limited-overs match for Australia in their World T20 squad.

Despite the fact that he has never played a T20I before and has only played 31 T20 matches in his career, he is still the only keeper in Australia's squad. His average record in the format, where he has a strike rate just over 100 and an average under 15, makes his inclusion all the more surprising.

Having said that, his experience of playing for Australia, especially in the longest format of the game will mean he is used to the pressure of playing for his country. Still, to throw him into the deep end just before the World T20 seems like a counterproductive measure as the reigning ODI World champions seek to claim their maiden World T20 title.