Item in The Island, 26 February 2026, withthis Title: “Samra, Airee headline Associates’ team of the tournament
The 2026 T20 World Cup was one where the Associate teams shone the brightest, often pushing the Full Members to their limits. Who are the players that stood out at the World Cup? Here’s the Associate’s team of the tournament.
Yuvraj Samra recorded a 58-ball century against New Zealand [Cricinfo] Yuvraj Samra recorded a 58-ball century against New Zealand [Cricinfo]
Yuvraj Samra … Canada (144 runs at 36.00; strike rate 156.52) …. The 19-year-old opener became the first Associate batter to score a T20 World Cup century against New Zealand. In his tournament-defining innings, he stepped down to Matt Henry, took apart James Neesham and dispatched Cole McConchie. But beyond the 110, he couldn’t cross 17 in the other three outings.
Shayan Jahangir …… USA, wk (91 runs at 30.33; strike rate 137.87)
This wasn’t a great tournament for the Associate glovemen, so wicketkeeper Jahangir takes the other opener’s spot. Against Pakistan, with six team-mates falling for single-digit scores, Jahangir gave USA hope of a win with his 34-ball innings that fell one run short of a half-century. On the spin-friendly SSC surface, he dominated Saim Ayub, Mohammad Nawaz and Abrar Ahmed, but failed to replicate the same form in the other games.
Bas de Leede …..Netherlands (158 runs at 52.66; five wickets at 19.60)
Gerhard Erasmus ……Namibia, capt (seven wickets at 11.85; economy 7.54)
T he Namibia captain and allrounder did not have a productive time with the bat but he stood up with the ball, taking seven wickets. His best performance was 4 for 20, where the variations in his delivery stride helped maintain an economy of 5.00, even as India posted a strong 209. He dismissed Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel. He also took 2 for 27 against USA and 1 for 25 against Pakistan.
Shubham Ranjane ……….. USA (141 runs at 70.50; strike rate 180.76)
Ranjane produced multiple impact knocks against big teams. Facing mobility issues against India, Ranjane launched a 22-ball 37 by counterattacking against Pandya, Varun Chakravarthy and Mohammed Siraj. Then, against Pakistan, his 30-ball 51 didn’t let Pakistan rest easy. His 24-ball 48 against Netherlands gave USA an imposing 196. His medium-pace bowling also gave USA a crucial sixth-bowling option.
Ben Manenti …………Italy (138 runs at 46.00; five wickets at 20.60)
The elder Manenti brother was an X-factor in Italy’s maiden campaign. His 2 for 9 in four overs deflated Nepal’s hopes and earned Italy their maiden World Cup win. His 25 – ball 60 against England kept his opponents on their toes. His 31-ball 52 against Scotland was another standout. Add in the two-for against West Indies and Ben Manenti has the highest impact-per-match numbers according to ESPNcricinfo’s metrics.
Michael Leask ……….Scotland (nine wickets at 13.55; economy 7.62)
Against Italy, Leask produced an explosive five-ball unbeaten 22 in the 20th over to take Namibia past 200 in Kolkata and then returned figures of 4 for 17 with his offspin. He wasn’t a big turner of the ball, but came from around the wicket to strangle right-hand batters, dismissing Harry Brook against England, too. Leask also took all three Nepal wickets, against right-handers, in Scotland’s final World Cup game.
The right-arm seamer from USA started the World Cup with a bang. A three-wicket over in the powerplay against India sent the Wankhede stadium into silence as he eventually finished with 4 for 25. That spell left India feeling very uncomfortable at halftime. Then against Pakistan, he went 4 for 25 again, relying on his hard-length deliveries that forced attacking shots into mis-hits. A further five scalps against fellow Associates left him with 13 wickets in four games, which, at the time of writing, remains the most in this tournament.
Aryan Dutt ……..nNetherlands (five wickets at 17.80; economy 6.84)
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
