The world’s largest sporting events often highlight the superstars who dominate the game, but they also provide a stage to discover the brightest emerging talents. Several cricketers have entered the ICC T20 World Cup as relative unknowns, only to leave experts and fans amazed by their skills and potential by the tournament’s end. Here’s Al Jazeera’s list of five young players who could shine in the 2024 edition of the tournament:
Yashasvi Jaiswal: India
Regarded as one of India’s brightest young cricketers over the past year, Jaiswal has made a name for himself in both the longest and shortest formats of the game. At just 23, his inspiring rags-to-riches journey has captured the hearts of fans, but it’s his fearless batting style that truly puts him in the spotlight. Since his T20 international debut, he has amassed over 500 runs in 17 matches, boasting an impressive average of 33.4 and a striking strike rate of 161, including a T20I century and four half-centuries. As a top-order batter, he is set to open the innings alongside the seasoned Rohit Sharma. If India hopes to secure a second T20 title that has eluded them for 17 years, a significant portion of their runs will likely come from Jaiswal’s bat.
Saim Ayub: Pakistan
In a country renowned for thrusting young players into challenging situations, Saim’s entry into international cricket came later than most. The left-handed batter made his T20I debut at the age of 21 last year but has struggled to secure a consistent spot in the playing XI, partly due to his form and Pakistan’s hesitance to disrupt the established partnership of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan at the top.
As he heads into the T20 World Cup, Saim brings valuable experience from his time in the West Indies, where he won the T20 Caribbean Premier League 2023 with the Guyana Amazon Warriors. He scored 52 runs in the final, marking the highest individual score, and finished the season ranked second on the batting charts.
Although he has yet to mirror his franchise success on the international stage, Saim possesses the ability to hit unconventional big shots and could create a dynamic left-right opening partnership with captain Babar. Most importantly, his familiarity with the region could position him as a standout player for the 2009 champions.
Will Jacks: England
Jacks made his international debut for England in 2022 as an off-spinner, but he enters the T20 World Cup primarily recognized for his explosive batting skills, highlighted by his recent success in the Indian Premier League. The 25-year-old all-rounder had an impressive average of 33 with a striking strike rate of 175 over eight matches with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He continued his form with 57 runs in two matches during England’s recent T20 series against Pakistan. Batting in the crucial one-down position, Jacks will bring both stability and power-hitting capabilities to the England squad as they aim for a record third T20 World Cup title.
Matheesha Pathirana: Sri Lanka
Pathirana hails from the Lasith Malinga school of low, slingy fast-bowling, and he has the legendary bowler’s endorsement.
“Matheesha can be brought in during the crucial stages of an innings without any fears,” Malinga remarked in an interview with ESPNCricinfo. “His main strengths are his pace and his yorker, but what impresses me the most about Matheesha is his big heart.”
At just 21, Pathirana has taken 28 wickets in 18 international matches for Sri Lanka, and his recent IPL performance has further elevated his profile. With 13 wickets in six games, it’s not just his wicket-taking ability that stands out, but also his impressive economy rate, average, and strike rate. This young talent could emerge as Sri Lanka’s key bowling asset.
Rishad Hossain: Bangladesh
Hossain may not be widely recognized in international cricket, but he has quietly established himself as a dependable leg-spinning all-rounder capable of delivering with the bat when needed. The tall leg-spinner has claimed 15 wickets in 17 T20 matches, boasting a commendable economy rate of 7, making him a valuable asset in the high-scoring format of T20 cricket. At just 21 years old and hailing from Rangpur in northwestern Bangladesh, he could benefit greatly from the slow pitches in the Caribbean and might play a pivotal role in guiding Bangladesh toward the knockout stages of the tournament.