5 surprise performers in the T20 World Cup so far

The ICC T20 World Cup 2016 has already crossed the halfway mark and the build-up to the semi-finals has begun. We have seen some excellent cricket so far from most of the teams and a number of fine individual performances as well.While some of the bigwigs have put up a terrific show in the tournament so far, there have also been quite a few lesser known names who have shined for their respective teams. Not all of them may have secured victories for their teams, but they have definitely made an impact enough for everyone to notice.Here are 5 surprise performers in the T20 World Cup so far:

#5 Andre Fletcher - West Indies

Fletcher made up for Chris Gayle’s absence with an unbeaten 84

Just one opportunity to bat which arose out of an injury to star batsman Chris Gayle was enough for Andre Fletcher to shine for the West Indies. The right-handed batsman made his international debut back in 2008 and has been in and out of the team ever since.

Fletcher was not included in the West Indies team for their 1st match against England. However, the management decided to give him a game against Sri Lanka and fortunately for the 28-year old, Gayle's injury while fielding presenting him with a chance to open.

Andre Fletcher carried his bat through the West Indies innings with a blazing 84 not out off 64 deliveries, a knock which included 5 sixes. His knock ensured the West Indians chased down their 127-run target with 10 balls to spare.

#4 Asghar Stanikzai - Afghanistan

Stanikzai’s fighting 62 against Sri Lanka went in vain

Afghanistan's top order batsman Asghar Stanikzai is one of the most experienced players in his team and has been performing quite decently since his debut 7 years back. Most of his success, though, has come in matches against other associate nations.

However, Stanikzai has managed to prove a point, thanks to a credible performance in a big tournament like the T20 World Cup. He had already scored a half-century in the qualifying stage against Scotland and followed it up with a fine 62 in Afghanistan's first match of the Super 10 stage against Sri Lanka.

Although Asghar Stanikzai's top effort propelled his team's score to a formidable 153, the Afghans were undone by a superb 83 not out from Sri Lankan veteran Tillakaratne Dilshan. Stanikzai is currently the 5th highest run scorer of the tournament.

#3 Ish Sodhi - New Zealand

Sodhi’s first wicket in the tournament was that of Virat Kohli

One of the most prominent surprise performers at the ICC T20 World Cup 2016 has been New Zealand's leg-spinner Ish Sodhi. The Kiwi bowler of Indian origin made a huge impact in the very first match of the tournament with an inspired bowling performance against hosts India.

Sodhi recorded figures of 3 for 15 and combined with fellow spinners Mitchell Santner and Nathan McCullum to bowl out the Indians for a paltry 79. The leggie's victims included India's current best batsman Virat Kohli, whom he dismissed off the first ball that he bowled.

Ish Sodhi impressed in New Zealand's other 2 matches too as he claimed the prized scalps of Australia's Glenn Maxwell and Pakistan's Shahid Afridi just when they were looking dangerous.

#2 Mohammad Shahzad - Afghanistan

Mohammad Shahzad tore into the South African pace attack

Among the brightest shining stars of the ICC T20 World Cup 2016 is Afghanistan's swashbuckling wicket-keeper batsman Mohammad Shahzad. The diminutive cricketer has been doing well against associate countries in the past, but his brilliant display in the ongoing T20 World Cup speaks volumes of his talent.

Shahzad is the 2nd highest run-scorer of the tournament with 194 runs in the 5 matches he has played so far. The highlight of his terrific performance has been his 19-ball 44 against South Africa in a match which Afghanistan eventually lost.

What caught the eye was the manner in which Mohammad Shahzad battered Dale Steyn & Co right at the start of the Afghanistan innings and took the score for 47 for 0 in just 3 overs. Had he hung around for a while more, South Africa's total of 209 could have been in trouble.

#1 Mitchell Santner - New Zealand

Santner’s 4-wicket haul destroyed the Indian batting

It cannot get any more surprising than an overseas spinner wreaking havoc on Indian pitches and producing his best performance against the hosts. This is precisely what Mitchell Santner has managed to do in the ICC T20 World Cup 2016 so far.

In the first match of the tournament, Santner, with figures of 4 for 11, joined forces with Ish Sodhi and Nathan McCullum to send the Indian batting line-up packing for 79 as the Kiwis completed a memorable 47-run victory. The 24-year old left-arm spinner is currently the leading wicket-taker of the ongoing T20 World Cup with 8 wickets in 3 matches.

Mitchell Santner has easily been one of the biggest finds of the tournament and he will have a crucial role to play if New Zealand want to win their first ever World Cup title.