Small players, big impact. 11 unlikely World Cup heroes

Source: IANS
Saket Parekar
Saket Parekar folomojo staff

After scalping 3 wickets against Sri Lanka in their group encounter, lowly Scotland’s Josh Davey has, surprisingly, become the highest wicket-taker in this World Cup at the time of going to press.

While the big names have already stamped their authority on the 2015 cricket World Cup, several lesser known players from smaller teams have held the torch aloft.

We dedicate this story to the 11 unsung and underrated heroes of this competition so far.

1. Ed Joyce

The Irishman’s two big innings against West Indies and Zimbabwe have helped them to two crucial wins in this tournament so far. While a place in the quarter-finals still remains an uphill task, if Ireland manage to pull it off, they would have Ed Joyce to thank.

2. Brendon Taylor

Zimbabwe have displayed moments of brilliance, but lacked the killer instinct in games they have come close to win. Even so, wicket-keeper and stand-in skipper Taylor has been a class apart. His batting has been a crucial part of Zimbabwe’s spirited chases against South Africa, West Indies and Ireland, even though none of them were rewarded with a victory.

3. Mushfiqur Rahim

Source: IANS
Source: IANS

Aside from Shakib, Mushfiqur has been inspirational with the bat and behind the stumps. His gritty and at times, explosive displays in the middle order, notably his fiery 89 against England, have been instrumental in Bangladesh’s progress to the quarter-finals.

4. Samiullah Shenwari

Until a few weeks ago, very few outside Afghanistan had heard this name. Even now, we’re having trouble memorising the spelling of his name. But his 247 runs at an average of 49.40 in his first ever World Cup are certainly making it easier to remember him.

5. Shakib Al Hasan

Source: IANS
Source: IANS

Inarguably the greatest cricketer to come out of Bangladesh in their brief time amongst the big guns, Shakib would probably make it to the starting XI of pretty much every top team in the world with his all-round skills.

6. Shaiman Anwar

Source: Live Images
Source: Live Images

Most top batsmen in the world would be happy with two fifties and a hundred in their first four innings at a World Cup. Shaiman Anwar is not one of world’s top batsmen. He is 99th in the ICC ODI player rankings. It seems almost unfair that UAE haven’t won single game despite having a player who has scored 270 runs at an average of 67.50

7. Sean Williams

Image courtesy: Zimbio.com
Image courtesy: Zimbio.com

Sean Williams has scored 289 runs and taken 7 wickets in 5 games at the 2015 World Cup so far. He would probably have made it to even an overall dream team had Zimbabwe managed to reach the quarter-finals.

8. Kevin O’Brien

With only 6 wickets and 122 runs so far in the competition, Kevin O’Brien hasn’t had the impact he usually has for Ireland at the big stage. But his presence has been as reassuring and as inspiring as ever for the Irishmen, who have managed 2 wins in 4 games.

9. Josh Davey

14 wickets at an average of 19.50 is nothing short of exceptional. That coming from an associate bowler is absolutely miraculous. Like Zimbabwe, Scotland have also been unlucky and have lacked the finishing touch in this tournament. Nevertheless, individuals like Davey have not failed to impress.

10. Shapoor Zadran

We vaguely remembered him, along with his trademark celebrations in the T20 World Cup. This time around, Shapoor has turned himself into a cult figure with his breath-taking bowling displays. And of course, who can forget those winning runs against Scotland and the celebratory dash across the ground as if he had conquered the world!

11. Hamid Hassan

If not for his fierce pace and deadly yorkers, Afghanistan’s Hamid Hassan should get a place in this team for his ‘Rambo’ look and his cartwheeling celebration. Who are we kidding? He should get a chance especially for that.