ISLAMABAD: No players from the Pakistan team were selected in the World Cup team of the tournament announced by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday.
The dream team featured six players from finalists India and two from champions Australia. Leading run scorer Virat Kohli, who was named player of the tournament, captain Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah and top wicket-taker Mohammed Shami were all included in the team from India, while Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell and spinner Adam Zampa were also selected.
The team of the ICC Men’s World Cup 2023 (in batting order) is:
Quinton de Kock (wk) (South Africa) – 594 runs at 59.40
Rohit Sharma (c) (India) – 597 runs at 54.27
Virat Kohli (India) – 765 runs at 95.62
Daryl Mitchell (New Zealand) – 552 runs at 69
KL Rahul (India) – 452 runs at 75.33
Glenn Maxwell (Australia) – 400 runs at 66.66 and six wickets at 55
Ravindra Jadeja (India) – 120 runs at 40 and 16 wickets at 24.87
Jasprit Bumrah (India) – 20 wickets at 18.65
Dilshan Madushanka (Sri Lanka) – 21 wickets at 25
Adam Zampa (Australia) – 23 wickets at 22.39
Mohammed Shami (India) – 24 wickets at 10.70
12th player: Gerald Coetzee (South Africa) – 20 wickets at 19.80
The selection panel consisted of Ian Bishop, Kass Naidoo, Shane Watson (Commentators), Wasim Khan (ICC General Manager, Cricket) and Sunil Vaidya (Journalist, Ahmedabad Mirror).
Australia on Sunday toppled India to win the 50-overs World Cup title and cement their status as the most successful team in the tournament’s history.
Australia opener Travis Head smashed a magnificent century to fashion their six-wicket victory against the tournament’s form team who posted a below-par 240 all out and were reeled in with seven overs to spare.
Head hit a superb 137 off 120 balls to ease Australian nerves after a top-order wobble before they romped home in a contest that never reached great heights.
Australia entered the match as clear underdogs against an all-conquering India side, who had won 10 matches in a row to storm into the final.
No Pakistanis included as ICC announces World Cup team of the tournament
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No Pakistanis included as ICC announces World Cup team of the tournament
- Team features six players from finalists India, two from champions Australia
- Australia toppled India to win the 50-overs World Cup title for the sixth time
Sabalenka returns to Australian Open primed for another title tilt
- “Honestly, there’s no difference,” Sabalenka said of her mindset heading into Melbourne Park no longer in possession of the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup
BENGALURU: World number one Aryna Sabalenka enters the Australian Open in her familiar role as the hot favorite but unlike in the past two years the powerful Belarusian arrives without a title to defend or the momentum of a winning run in Melbourne.
The twice champion’s 20-match winning streak at the season’s opening major was snapped in the title clash 12 months ago when American outsider Madison Keys denied her a successful defense and a rare three-peat last achieved by Martina Hingis in 1999.
Sabalenka shrugged off that disappointment as well as losing in the French Open final and Wimbledon semifinals to secure her fourth Grand Slam crown at the US Open, leaving her primed for another title tilt on the blue hardcourts Down Under.
“Honestly, there’s no difference,” Sabalenka said of her mindset heading into Melbourne Park no longer in possession of the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup.
“Every time, it doesn’t matter what tournament it is ... if I’m the defending champion or if I lost in the first round last year, the goal is always the same — to bring my best tennis and improve my game.
“That’s how I take it. I’m always just focusing on myself, on developing my game, and making sure I’m 100 percent there. That’s my goal and focus every time.”
Sabalenka’s serve infamously hampered her in Australia four years ago but her refined delivery has become a crucial weapon, while her variations with drop shots and sharper tactical nous have turned her into a formidable force.
She won a tour-leading four trophies last season and made nine finals, underlining her consistency at the highest level, with a shock loss to Elena Rybakina in last year’s WTA Finals title clash bringing her campaign to an abrupt end.
That setback has only sharpened her resolve and she now returns to Melbourne looking to reach her fourth consecutive Australian Open final.
The 27-year-old will also bid to reach a seventh straight hardcourt Grand Slam final to match Hingis and Steffi Graf in the professional era that began in 1968.
“I’m always super motivated when I come to Australia,” said Sabalenka, who kicked off her season by retaining her title at the Brisbane International without giving up a set.
“I love playing here and I want to stay here as long as possible. Of course remembering last year’s (Australian Open) final, I want to do a little bit better than I did.”
