5 biggest surprise packages of 2024 T20 World Cup ft. Fazalhaq Farooqi, Shai Hope
The 2024 T20 World Cup is officially done and dusted. India emerged as the champions of the mega event with a seven-run victory against South Africa in the final match last Saturday at the Kensington Oval.
While fans expected both India and South Africa to dominate the tournament, Afghanistan surprised everyone by qualifying for the semifinals. They recorded historic wins against New Zealand and Australia en route to the final four.
Like the Afghanistan team, there were some players who emerged as the surprise package of the tournament. Here's a list of five such players.
#1 Fazalhaq Farooqi - Leading wicket-taker of 2024 T20 World Cup
Before the 2024 T20 World Cup, not many fans would have predicted Fazalhaq Farooqi to end the tournament as the highest wicket-taker. However, Farooqi stunned every team with his excellent left-arm pace bowling.
The Afghanistan fast bowler bagged 17 wickets in eight innings at an unbelievable average of 9.41. Notably, he took three-wicket hauls against India and PNG, a four-wicket haul against New Zealand and a five-wicket haul against Uganda.
#2 Shai Hope, West Indies
Caribbean opener Shai Hope ended as the batter with the highest strike rate among batters who scored at least 100 runs in the tournament. Known to be an ODI specialist, Hope surprised everyone by aggregating 107 runs in three innings at a strike rate of 187.71.
The right-handed batter played his career-best knock of 82 runs from 39 balls in a do-or-die match against USA in the Super 8s round.
#3 Sompal Kami, Nepal
Nepalese pace bowler Sompal Kami had the third-best economy rate in the 2024 T20 World Cup after Trent Boult and Tim Southee. Despite playing against higher-ranked opponents like South Africa and Bangladesh, Kami maintained an economy rate of 3.78 runs per over.
The 28-year-old bowled a maiden over to Proteas opener Reeza Hendricks, while he bowled a magnificent spell of 2/10 in three overs against Bangladesh.
#4 Rishad Hossain, Bangladesh
It is rare to see leg-spinners in Bangladesh's team, but 21-year-old Rishad Hossain proved that leggies can emerge as game-changers for Bangladesh if given an opportunity to play.
Hossain scalped 14 wickets in seven matches of 2024 T20 World Cup - the highest among players from teams eliminated before semifinals. His three-wicket hauls against Netherlands and Sri Lanka played a major role in Bangladesh qualifying for Super 8s.
#5 Monank Patel, USA
USA captain Monank Patel played only two matches in the 2024 T20 World Cup, but he ensured that cricket fans will always remember his name. Leading USA in their debut T20 World Cup, Patel guided the team to two wins in two matches.
He stole the show with a glorious half-century in the big game against Pakistan. Unfortunately for Patel, he could not play any games after that due to a shoulder injury. The fact that USA did not win any matches in the tournament after Patel got injured shows the value that he brought to the side. The skipper will aim to put up a stronger show in the 2026 T20 World Cup.