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Another exciting year of cricket has gone by and another one is underway. There were some exceptional talents discovered and some breathtaking encounters witnessed during 2018.
T20 fans also had a lot to see and admire as there were plenty of bilateral tours scheduled throughout the year.
In this article, we form the strongest possible T20I XI of players formed by players of all teams based on their performance in 2018 alone.
#1 Shikhar Dhawan
33-year-old Shikhar Dhawan always impressed in ODIs but could never really cement his place in India's T20 team. However, the left-handed batsman came to his own last year around and performed phenomenally well in the shortest format of the game in 2018.
In the 18 T20Is, Shikhar played last year, he made 689 runs with an average of 40.52 and a superb strike rate of 147.22. There were some very important knocks which he played and they included six half-centuries as well as three scores in 40s.
The experienced opening batsman will soon be seen playing in the 2019 IPL for Delhi Capitals and will hope to guide his team to success.
#2 Aaron Finch
Aaron Finch had a brilliant 2018 as he scored 531 runs in 17 T20 Internationals for Australia. Finch also hit two fifties and one record-breaking century (score of 172* against Zimbabwe) in 2018. The 32-year-old had an average of 40.84 and made his runs with a blistering strike rate of 176.41.
His form, however, slumped in the second half of 2018 and he could not manage a very big total. The Aussie player will be looking to give a strong performance for his national team in the upcoming World Cup.
The limited-overs specialist also finally got a chance to represent his national team in Test matches last year as he made a debut against Pakistan on October 7, 2018.
#3 Babar Azam
Lahore-born Babar Azam had a phenomenal year in 2018. It can also be called his breakthrough year in terms of T20 matches. The 24-year-old Pakistani batsman played 12 T20Is and scored 563 runs with a mind-boggling average of 62.55 and strike rate of 126.51. He also hit 6 fifties in the year and looked much more mature as a batsman.
The talented youngster was phenomenal for the national team in Tests as well during 2018 and scored 616 runs in eight Tests.
#4 Rohit Sharma
31-year-old Rohit Sharma is another Indian player who deserves to be on this list. In the 19 T20Is matches Rohit played for the Men in Blue last year, he scored a whopping 590 runs at an average of 36.87 and a commendable strike rate of 147.50.
The Maharashtra-born player also scored two centuries and three half-centuries in the format. Retained by the Mumbai Indians ahead of IPL 2018 for Rs. 15 crores, Rohit will look to ensure he can justify his high price tag in the upcoming edition of India's most popular T20 league.
#5 Colin Munro
Batting all-rounder Colin Munro was highly impressive in 2018. In the 12 T20Is he played for New Zealand, the 31-year-old scored 500 runs at an average of 45.45. He also scored one century and four fifties.
The Kiwi player also picked up three wickets in the seven innings he bowled in. Besides putting up brilliant performances for the Black Caps, Munro was also the top scorer of the 2018 Caribbean Premier League with 567 runs to his name in 13 matches with the average of 51.54 and strike rate of 140.34.
The experienced player will soon be seen giving it his all for Delhi Capitals during IPL 2019.
#6 Mushfiqur Rahim
Mushfiqur Rahim is the only Bangladeshi player to feature in this unique playing XI. The veteran wicketkeeper-batsman played 16 T20Is in 2018. The Bogra-born player scored 397 runs at an average of 30.53 and brilliant strike rate of 132.33.
Besides getting three fifties, Rahim also contributed to the team behind the stumps. He took eight catches and effected four stumpings in the year 2018.
#7 Shadab Khan
Pakistan have found an exceptional talent in the leg-break bowler Shadab Khan. The Mianwali-born player played 19 matches for the Men in Green in 2018 with his best figures being 3/19. 20-year-old Shabad had 28 scalps to his name in T20Is in 2018.
What is most impressive is that he managed to pick up so many wickets at a brilliant average of 17.42, a strike rate of 15.7, giving away just 6.62 runs in an over, which are exceptional figures for a T20 bowler.
The youngster has become a vital cog for Pakistan in all three formats of the game.
#8 Kuldeep Yadav
24-year-old Kuldeep Yadav was been brilliant for the Men in Blue in 2018. The left-arm chinaman bowler has come a long way since making his T20I debut on July 9, 2017, against the Windies.
In the nine T20Is Kuldeep played for India in 2018, he picked up 21 wickets with the strike rate 9.8, average 9.80, an economy rate of 5.97, and best figures of 5/24. Absolutely astounding figures!
#9 Rashid Khan
Afghanistan's most potent Right-arm leg break bowler continued his impressive display in 2018. Yes, we are talking about none other than Rashid Khan.
The 20-year-old played 8 T20Is in 2018 and picked up 22 wickets with the strike rate 8.1, average 8.68, and economy rate 6.36. His best bowling figures in the format were 4/12. He was also the 2nd highest wicket taker of the IPL 2018 with 21 wickets in 17 matches.
The talented youngster is also working on his batting skills now. In case he manages to improve as a batsman then he has all the ability to become one of the finest all-rounders in the world. Currently, Rashid is playing in the BBL for the Adelaide Strikers.
#10 Billy Stanlake
Aussie player Billy Stanlake is one of the finest young talents in the national team. In the 16 T20Is the lanky speedster played for Australia in 2018, he picked up 25 wickets. His average was 18.40, Strike rate 14.1, and economy rate 7.79.
Sunrisers Hyderabad have retained Billy Stanlake for the 2019 edition of the IPL. He will be looking to impress selectors and try to cement his place in the ODI and Test sides as well.
#11 Andrew Tye
Andrew Tye is another important player for Australia. The Perth-born player played 19 T20Is in 2018 and picked up 31 wickets at an average of 18.93 and 13.2 strike rate. An economy rate of 8.56 is something he will be disappointed with and would want to work on.
Tye is also a crucial part of Kings XI Punjab and was the highest wicket taker of IPL 2018 with 24 wickets in 14 matches.
Who else do you think could be part of this XI? Do mention in the comments section below.
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