The T20 World Cup 2026 trophy has been lifted, the confetti has settled, and now the cricket world is processing everything that happened in one of the greatest tournaments ever played.
.jfif "Cricket Today: ICC XI, BAN vs PAK, Arshdeep Fined & IPL 2026 | The Yorker Crew")
From ICC's official Team of the Tournament to a controversial on-field incident in the final, and from BCCI's record prize money announcement to the date IPL 2026 kicks off — here is everything that has happened since India beat New Zealand by 96 runs in Ahmedabad on March 8.
🏆 ICC Announces Team of the Tournament — Sahibzada Farhan Leads the Surprises
The ICC announced the official T20 World Cup 2026 Team of the Tournament on March 9 — and the biggest talking point was not who made it in, but who captained it. Despite Pakistan's Super Eight exit, Sahibzada Farhan — who broke the record for the most runs ever scored by a batter in a single T20 World Cup edition — was a unanimous selection. And South Africa's Aiden Markram, despite the Proteas losing their semi-final to New Zealand, was named captain of the XI.
Farhan's numbers were extraordinary: 383 runs in 7 matches at an average of 76.60 — the most runs by any batter in a single T20 World Cup edition ever, surpassing Virat Kohli's record from 2014. He scored three half-centuries and one century, carrying Pakistan's batting almost single-handedly to the Super Eights. The fact that Pakistan went out at that stage does not diminish what Farhan produced — and the ICC selection panel, comprising Ian Bishop, Eoin Morgan, Natalie Germanos, Gaurav Saxena and Rex Clementine, had no hesitation in picking him first.
Four India players made the XI — Sanju Samson (Player of the Tournament: 321 runs, SR 199.37), Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya (217 runs + 9 wickets), and Jasprit Bumrah (joint-leading wicket-taker: 14 wickets, avg 12.42). England were represented by Will Jacks and Adil Rashid, West Indies by Jason Holder, Zimbabwe by Blessing Muzarabani (whose 9 wickets in the group stage single-handedly knocked out Australia), and South Africa by Lungi Ngidi.
Full ICC Team of Tournament T20 WC 2026:
| Player | Country | Key Stats |
|---|---|---|
| ⭐ Sahibzada Farhan | Pakistan | 383 runs | Avg 76.60 | SR 160.25 |
| Ishan Kishan | India | 286 runs | Avg 47.66 | SR 165.31 |
| Sanju Samson (wk) 🏆 | India | 321 runs | Avg 80.25 | SR 199.37 |
| Aiden Markram (c) | South Africa | 3 half-centuries | Led SA to 7 wins |
| Hardik Pandya | India | 217 runs | 9 wickets | SR 176.56 |
| Will Jacks | England | Finisher role | Key in knockouts |
| Jason Holder | West Indies | Crucial lower-order runs + wickets |
| Adil Rashid | England | Economical spin in knockouts |
| Jasprit Bumrah | India | 14 wickets | Avg 12.42 | 4/15 in Final |
| Lungi Ngidi | South Africa | Pace spearhead | Consistent throughout |
| Blessing Muzarabani | Zimbabwe | 9 wickets in group stage | Knocked out AUS |
The most notable absence? Finn Allen — whose 33-ball century against South Africa was the most spectacular innings of the tournament. The selection panel clearly prioritized consistency over a single defining knock, which is why Allen — despite that extraordinary semi-final — missed out.
⚠️ Arshdeep Singh Fined by ICC After Final Flashpoint
In the euphoria of India's 96-run victory, one moment threatened to overshadow the celebrations. In the 11th over of New Zealand's chase, Arshdeep Singh fielded a ball off his own bowling and threw it back towards batter Daryl Mitchell — who was well inside his crease. The throw struck Mitchell directly on the pads, and the New Zealand vice-captain was furious. He advanced towards Arshdeep, words were exchanged, and India captain Suryakumar Yadav had to rush in to calm the situation before on-field umpire Richard Illingworth could step in.
On March 10, the ICC confirmed that Arshdeep had been found guilty of breaching Article 2.9 of the ICC Code of Conduct — which covers throwing a ball at or near a player in an inappropriate or dangerous manner. The punishment: a 15% match fee fine and one demerit point. Since this was Arshdeep's first offence in a 24-month period, no suspension was applied. He accepted the sanction proposed by match referee Andy Pycroft, so no formal hearing was required.
Arshdeep himself addressed the incident after the trophy presentation, with characteristic humour: "I just went to apologize to Mitchell. My throw reverse-swung a bit too much and hit him. It was not intentional." Mitchell accepted the apology, the two were seen shaking hands at the end of the over, and the matter was resolved — but the fine ensures it goes on the official record.
It is worth noting that this incident had absolutely no bearing on the result. India won by 96 runs — a margin that never allowed any real drama to unfold. But the ICC, as always, acted on the incident regardless.
💰 BCCI Announces Record ₹131 Crore Prize Money for India
The Board of Control for Cricket in India did not waste any time in rewarding the champions. BCCI Honorary Secretary Devajit Saikia announced a cash reward of ₹131 crore for Team India — the largest ever prize given by any cricket board to a winning squad, and ₹6 crore more than the ₹125 crore given after India's 2024 T20 World Cup win in Barbados.
The breakdown tells an equally remarkable story: each of the 15 players in the squad will receive ₹6 crore — a 20% increase on the ₹5 crore distributed per player after 2024. The remaining ₹41 crore will be distributed among the coaching staff, support staff, and selectors. Head coach Gautam Gambhir is expected to receive the same share as the players.
This is on top of what the ICC had already paid out: India received USD 3 million (approximately ₹27.48 crore) for winning the tournament — part of a record prize pool of USD 13.5 million, a 20% increase from the 2024 edition. Combined, each India player is looking at a total tournament payout north of ₹6.5 crore — before performance bonuses of approximately ₹28.6 lakh per group stage and Super Eight win are factored in.
India have now won four major ICC trophies in less than two years — T20 WC 2024, Women's WC 2025, Champions Trophy 2025, and T20 WC 2026. The BCCI has announced separate prize money for each. The players, it is safe to say, are not complaining.
🏏 IPL 2026 Starts March 28 — India's Champions Available
🇧🇩 Bangladesh Demolish Pakistan by 8 Wickets — 1st ODI, Mirpur
If Pakistan were hoping that a new squad, a fresh start, and a 2027 World Cup rebuilding mission would bring better results — the 1st ODI in Mirpur delivered a brutal reality check instead.
Bangladesh won the toss and chose to field. What followed was one of the most embarrassing batting collapses Pakistan have produced in recent ODI history. Nahid Rana — the young Bangladesh pacer who had tormented Pakistan in the Tests — delivered a stunning maiden five-wicket haul in ODIs, finishing with 5 for 24 in just seven overs. Pakistan were bundled out for just 114 all out in 30.4 overs.
Four ODI debutants in Pakistan's lineup — Sahibzada Farhan (27 off 38), Maaz Sadaqat, Shamyl Hussain, and Abdul Samad — struggled to cope with Rana's short-ball barrage on a surprisingly bouncy Mirpur pitch. Only a 32-run last-wicket partnership between Faheem Ashraf and Abrar Ahmed took Pakistan past the 100-run mark and provided any semblance of respectability. Mehidy Hasan Miraz chipped in with 3 for 29 to complete the collapse.
Bangladesh then chased the target with extraordinary ease — winning by 8 wickets with 209 balls to spare — barely breaking a sweat. The series continues with the 2nd ODI on March 13 and the 3rd ODI on March 15, both in Mirpur.
For Pakistan cricket, the concern is real: a brand new squad, a flat Mirpur surface, and still bowled out for 114. Shaheen Afridi's rebuild has its first major setback. The 2027 ODI World Cup preparations, it is fair to say, have not started well.
Quick Scorecard:
🇵🇰 Pakistan: 114 all out (30.4 overs) — Faheem Ashraf 37*, Rana 5/24, Mehidy 3/29
🇧🇩 Bangladesh: 115/2 (15.3 overs) — Tanzid Hasan 56*, Soumya 34
Result: Bangladesh won by 8 wickets
🏏 IPL 2026 Starts March 28 — India's Champions Available
With the T20 World Cup 2026 concluding on March 8, India's players have exactly 20 days before the Indian Premier League 2026 begins on March 28. The BCCI has placed a T20 restriction on Jasprit Bumrah ahead of the IPL season — meaning India's greatest bowler will be managed carefully as he transitions from World Cup to franchise cricket. Full details of the IPL 2026 schedule are expected to be announced in two phases, with BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia confirming the likely date shortly.
For cricket fans, this means the wait will be short. Sanju Samson — Player of the Tournament — returns to Rajasthan Royals. Abhishek Sharma — whose 18-ball fifty in the final will live long in the memory — goes back to Sunrisers Hyderabad. Shivam Dube, the man who hit 24 off the last over in the final, lines up for Chennai Super Kings. And Hardik Pandya — who scored 217 runs and took 9 wickets — returns to Mumbai Indians.
The T20 World Cup celebrations may barely be over, but for Indian cricket fans, the next chapter is already beginning.
Stay with The Yorker Crew for complete IPL 2026 coverage, player ratings from T20 WC 2026, and all things cricket. Bookmark us and never miss an update! 🏏🔥
What do you think of the ICC Team of the Tournament? Should Finn Allen have been included? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!
#T20WC2026 #ICCTeamOfTournament #SahibzadaFarhan #ArshdeepSingh #BCCI #IPL2026 #IndiaCricket #TheYorkerCrew
No comments:
Post a Comment