Three South Africans have been included in the ICC’s T20I Team of the Year for 2021.

They are batsmen Aiden Markram and David Miller, and spin bowler Tabraiz Shamsi.

Considered a solid Test opener, 2021 was the year where Markram’s limited-overs game grew by leaps and bounds, especially his power-hitting game in the middle order.

In 18 matches, he notched up 570 runs at an average of 43.84 and a strike rate of 148.82, with six half-centuries.

Markram also proved to be a handy part-time spin-bowling option, chipping in with five wickets.

Miller, South Africa’s finisher, again enjoyed a fruitful year in 2021, playing some impactful knocks, including against Sri Lanka in Sharjah during the T20 World Cup.

He played 17 matches, scoring 377 runs at an average of 47.12 and a strike rate of 149.60, with two half-centuries. 

Shamsi, the No 1-ranked T20I bowler in the world, showcased all his class in 2021. Be it taking a wicket or holding the flow of runs, he delivered more often than not.

In 22 matches, Shamsi took 36 wickets at an average of 13.36 and a miserly economy rate of 5.72.