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Continuing to improve as a group is the bigger picture: Williamson humble in defeat

New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson, who has on several occasions been famed for his calm demeanour was once again an idol of humility in the post-match press conference of the T20 World Cup. Having lost his second ICC World Cup as a captain, the Blackcaps player chose to see the bigger picture and stated that New Zealand will always continue improving as a team.   

Speaking at the post-match press conference in Dubai, Williamson said, “You know the picture is always big. You narrow it down to sort of one game here, one game there and the wins and losses that come as a part of what we do.” 

“But the bigger picture is the important one and it is trying to continue to improve as a group,” he added. 

Talking about his team, which is relatively low on experience as it was the first-ever World Cup for most of its players, the 31-year-old said that he is proud of the way they played in the tournament. 

“You know they played extremely well. There’s a lot of growth here. But as a cricket team, or as any sports team you keep looking forward and try and play better cricket day-to-day, “ he said. 

New Zealand lost the T20 World Cup 2021 final by eight wickets to their trans-Tasman rivals Australia.

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I had told Langer he will be Man of the Tournament: Finch joyous after his prediction on Warner comes true

Australian skipper Aaron Finch was over the moon when David Warner was adjudged Player of the Tournament for ICC T20 World Cup 2021. Finch in a post-World Cup media interaction said that he had assured coach Justin Langer that Warner was going to be the game-changer in this tournament for the Aussie unit. "Without a word of a lie, I promise you, I called Justin Langer a few months ago and said, “'Don't worry about Davey, he'll be Man of the Tournament’,” said Finch in the post-match press conference. However, the right-hander believed that post-tournament, it should have been Adam Zampa who should have got the prized trophy. "I thought Adam Zampa should have been Man of the Tournament personally, but he's [Warner] a great player. He's one of the all-time great batters. And he's a fighter,” Finch said. “He's someone who when his back is against the wall, that's when you get the very, very best of David Warner. It was a special finish to the tournament for him, the last couple of knocks,” the 35-year-old added. Talking about the match, where Australia chased down a historic 173, the highest in a T20 WC final, Finch said that Mitchell Marsh’s knock of 77 was the turning point in the game. "I think the turning point was when I got out, for Mitch Marsh to be able to come in and play the way that he did. He was outstanding. That partnership with David was brilliant; the way that they put the pressure back on the opposition was exactly what was needed at the time,” said Finch, who himself was removed for a paltry five off seven balls.

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T20 World Cup | ICC reveals team of the tournament led by Babar Azam

The International Cricket Council revealed its ‘team of the tournament' after a blazing T20 World Cup, held in the United Arab Emirates and Oman. The selection of the team was made by a five-member panel that included commentators Ian Bishop, Shane Watson and Natalie Germanos along with journalists Lawrence Booth and Shahid Hashmi. Bishop, speaking on the process of the selection stated that they wanted to pick the players in their natural positions but they had to make compromises owing to the exceptional performances of certain individuals. “We endeavoured to select players as close to their initial team position where possible. This intention was not always a reality, as some compromises had to be made.” Bishop said. The team comprises of five specialist batsmen in David Warner, Jos Buttler (wk), Babar Azam, Charith Asalanka and Aiden Markram, Moeen Ali playing as the spin bowling all rounder, two spinners in Wanindu Hasaranga and Azam Zampa along with three pacers, Trent Boult, Josh Hazlewood and Anrich Nortje. Australia, without any question, has the most representations in the team with three of its players occupying key positions. Finalists New Zealand have only one player in Trent Boult representing them in the team of the tournament after his incredible showing of 13 wickets in the tournament with an economy of just 6.25. He was exceptional in the final as well picking up 2 wickets for 18 runs in his spell of 4 overs. The team is led by Babar Azam who equalled Mathew Hayden and Virat Kohli’s record of hitting four 50s in the tournament, subsequently taking home the record of most runs scored in the 2021 edition of the World Cup. He scored 303 runs at an astonishing average of 60.60 and was followed by David Warner with 289 runs to his name. Bishop stated that he rues the non-selection of Mohammad Rizwan, but with the top three of this team in such mind-boggling form, it would not have made sense to push Rizwan so far down the order. “The top three in the order were so outstanding that we could not leave any of them out. Notable absentees include Mohammed Rizwan who was simply outstanding and courageous in his performance. However, we could not fit him into the team too far outside of the opening position where he is most suited and successful.” Shaheen Shah Afridi was selected as the 12th man for this team.