Babar Azam In; Jos Buttler To Open, 1 Indian Included: Flop XI Of T20 World Cup 2026

Flop XI of T20 World Cup 2026 [Source: AFP]

The T20 World Cup 2026 marked its conclusion on Sunday, March 8, as India crushed New Zealand by 96 runs to clinch the coveted trophy. Led by Suryakumar Yadav, the Indian side enjoyed stellar success in the tournament, securing the T20 World Cup for a historic third time. 

While several players grabbed the limelight with astounding performances, some big names failed to live up to the expectations. As the tournament has been completed, we analyse to find out the flop XI of T20 World Cup 2026. 

Flop XI of T20 World Cup 2026

Openers and top-order: Jos Buttler (WK), Phil Salt, Salman Ali Agha

The England pair of Jos Buttler and Phil Salt was undoubtedly the most disappointing opening batting duo in the T20 World Cup. The swashbuckling batters registered a string of failures, as their lean patch adversely affected the Three Lions in the competition. 

Jos Buttler managed only 87 runs, including five single-digit scores. On the other hand, Phil Salt could amass 130 runs at a miserable average of 16.25. Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha follows the English duo at number three, having accumulated only 60 runs across six innings. 

Middle-order and all-rounders: Babar Azam, Daryl Mitchell, Shadab Khan, Mitchell Santner (C)

Veteran batter Babar Azam was undoubtedly Pakistan's biggest disappointment in the T20 World Cup. The Lahore-born cricketer scored 91 runs in four outings at a modest average of 22.75. 

Although Pakistan tried to fit him in the middle-order, Babar wasted multiple opportunities, eventually losing his spot from the team. So, he makes it into the side as the worst number four batter of the competition. 

New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell entered the T20 World Cup as one of the most high-profile names. The right-hander was a major flop in the middle-order, as he could manage only 80 runs in five innings. 

Also read: Indian Players Who Might Have Played Their Last T20 World Cup

Pakistan's Shadab Khan and New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner have been included in the team due to their underwhelming returns in the competition. Shadab was slammed by Pakistani cricket fanatics for a miserable run, while Santner could bag only two wickets in seven matches. 

The BlackCaps captain's questionable on-field tactics also played a pivotal role in their crushing defeat to the Indian side in the final at Narendra Modi Stadium. Therefore, Santner has been chosen as the captain of our flop XI of T20 World Cup 2026. 

Bowlers: Kagiso Rabada, Arshdeep Singh, Jacob Duffy, Keshav Maharaj

(Rabada and Duffy in T20 World Cup 2026)

As evidenced by the above stats, Kagiso Rabada and Jacob Duffy failed miserably with the ball in the tournament. Rabada went wicketless on three occasions, while Duffy leaked runs at a poor economy rate of 10.87. 

Interestingly, Duffy was one of the most prolific T20I bowlers in 2025, scalping 44 wickets in 30 innings. So, when he came to India for the showpiece event, the New Zealand cricket fans had high expectations from the right-arm pacer. 

However, as he fell flat with the ball, Duffy has been chosen as Kagiso Rabada's bowling partner. 

Arshdeep Singh is the only Indian in our flop XI of T20 World Cup 2026, having blown hot and cold in the competition. The left-arm pacer was inconsistent with his lines and lengths, bagging nine wickets in eight matches. 

South Africa's Keshav Maharaj had a topsy-turvy campaign in the tournament. He spearheaded the Proteas spin attack with modest success, scalping five wickets in six games. As Maharaj's overall performance was under-par, he makes it into our flop XI of T20 World Cup 2026. 

Flop XI of T20 World Cup 2026

Jos Buttler (WK), Phil Salt, Salman Ali Agha, Babar Azam, Daryl Mitchell, Shadab Khan, Mitchell Santner (C), Kagiso Rabada, Arshdeep Singh, Jacob Duffy, Keshav Maharaj

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