ILT20 2023 team of the tournament: Who makes our XI?

JOE WOZNIAK names the best XI from the six-team tournament after Gulf Giants captured the inaugural title

Back in January, six brand new teams were brought together as the UAE joined the T20 franchise circuit.

Big hundreds from the likes of Alex Hales and Tom Kohler-Cadmore and wickets from Chris Jordan and David Wiese made the inaugural edition of the ILT20 nail-biting throughout.

Gulf Giants strolled to victory in the final against Desert Vipers, capturing their maiden title.

But who makes our team of the tournament?

Alex Hales (Desert Vipers)  

12 matches, 469 runs, 46.90 average, 151.77 strike rate

The Nottinghamshire batter blew away the competition, capturing the green belt (the prize for the leading run-scorer) and was one of only two players to pass the 400-run mark. With 469 runs to his name in just 12 innings, including an impressive 110 against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, he powered Desert Vipers into the final but couldn't quite get them over the line.

James Vince (Gulf Giants)

11 matches, 439 runs, 48.77 average, 136.76 strike rate

It's another Englishman at the top of the order, with James Vince once again making himself an unstoppable force Mixing old-fashioned strokeplay with modern improvisation, Vince provided a stabilising presence for Gulf Giants and scored no fewer than four half-centuries. His best knock? 83 not out 56 balls against MI Emirates in the second qualifier.

^{James Vince [Karim Sahib/Getty Images]}

Muhammad Waseem (MI Emirates)

11 matches, 367 runs, 33.36 average, 138.49 strike rate

Muhammad Waseem was one of the UAE internationals who truly shone in the ILT20, earning the blue belt for the best UAE player for his efforts. His 86 against Desert Vipers was his standout performance and propelled his side to score 241 runs in just 20 overs. Waseem scored three half-centuries, maintained a strike rate in excess of 135 and also smashed 24 sixes.

Tom Kohler-Cadmore (Sharjah Warriors)

10 matches, 323 runs, 40.37 average, 158.33 strike rate

The English top-order batter displayed once again why he should be earning more T20 contracts, scoring 48 boundaries as part of his 323-run haul and striking at 158.33. With a top-score of 106 not out, scored against Dubai Capitals, he was one of only two players (alongside Hales) to reach triple figures. Unfortunately, his individual brilliance couldn't rescue Sharjah Warriors.

Sam Billings (Desert Vipers)

12 matches, 285 runs, 31.66 average, 111.76 strike rate, 12 dismissals

The wicketkeeper-batter was not only tidy with the gloves - no one else could match his haul of 11 catches and one stumping - but also showcased his skills with the bat, providing some stability for Desert Vipers. He finished second in the run-scoring charts for the Vipers, with a high score of 54.

^{Kieron Pollard [Karim Sahib/Getty Images]}

Kieron Pollard (MI Emirates)

10 matches, 394 runs, 78.80 average, 192.19 strike rate, 2 wickets

The West Indies legend, captaining MI Emirates, rolled back the years with destructive performance after destructive performance with the bat. The allrounder found the boundary 56 times in 10 matches, including scoring a series-leading 29 sixes. Of players to score more than 20 runs, no one could better his strike rate of 192.19. He wasn't required with the ball very often but still chipped in with two wickets in five overs.

Rovman Powell (Dubai Capitals)

11 matches, 350 runs, 43.75 average, 160.55 strike rate, 5 wickets

Another West Indies allrounder. Like his counterpart Pollard, Powell also located the boundary with ease, striking 18 fours and 26 sixes, and posted a high score of 97 off just 41 balls against MI Emirates - no one scored more runs for the Capitals than Powell. Classed as allrounder, his opportunities with the ball were limited to just 11 overs but he picked up five valuable wickets, including best figures of 2 for 15. 

David Wiese (Gulf Giants)

11 matches, 18 wickets, 14.77 average, 7 economy

The Namibia international takes his place in the XI after delivering a number of fantastic bowling performances. In 31 overs, he collected 18 wickets as well as maintaining an economy of seven. Bowling alongside Chris Jordan, the pair fed off each other and secured the top-two spots in the wicket-taking charts. His best performance came against Sharjah Warriors when he picked up 5 for 20.

^{Junaid Siddique [Martin Keep/Getty Images]}

Wanindu Hasaranga (Desert Vipers)

9 matches, 115 runs, 23 average, 145.56 strike rate, 15 wickets, 15.80 average, 7.18 economy

The Sri Lanka allrounder was the standout spinner in the ILT20, with his variations helping the Vipers to the final. He collected 15 wickets in just nine matches - third in the wicket-taking charts - while maintaining an economy of 7.18. He also chipped in with a number runs at a strike rate of 145.56. Sheldon Cottrell (who took 12 wickets in 11 matches) and Tom Curran (150 runs and 12 wickets) were also in the running for selection but were pipped by their Vipers teammate.

Chris Jordan (Gulf Giants)

10 matches, 20 wickets, 13.80 average, 7.39 economy

Chris Jordan was on fire in the ILT20, providing a constant wicket-taking threat. He took a tournament-leading 20 wickets, earning himself the white belt in the process, and was also crowned MVP, winning the red belt. He and Wiese took a combined 38 wickets for the Giants while his best performance came against MI Emirates, when he picked up 3 for 12.

Junaid Siddique (Sharjah Warriors)

10 matches, 11 wickets, 20.90 average, 7.5 economy

Siddique was another UAE international who stood out in the ILT20, bringing about a number of wicket-taking opportunities. He took a team-leading 11 wickets for Sharjah Warriors - level with Naveen-ul-Haq - while he was also the leading wicket-taker among home players. Siddique well and truly held his own against some of the best in the world.