Sportskeeda Cricket Awards 2016: T20I All-rounder of the Year

#5 Shahid Afridi (Pakistan)

Shahid Afridi's aura hasn't quite diminished despite his ageing body

130 runs and 9 wickets from 12 matches do not make up for the best of numbers for the veteran all-rounder, Shahid Afridi, but much like his timeless ageing, there were crucial knocks from the former Pakistan T20I captain that helped him make the list of the best T20I all-rounders for the year.

Afridi started his year with an 8-ball 23 against New Zealand in Auckland, a knock that contained two fours and as many sixes and helped his side reach a total of 171 in the 1^st T20I of the two-match series. The wickets of Luke Ronchi and Grant Elliot with the ball further tightened the screws and helped his side edge out the hosts by 16 runs.

Although he got out for a first-ball duck in the Asia Cup eliminator against Bangladesh, he came back in the World T20 2016 to smash 49 crucial runs off just 19 balls with 4 boundaries and as many maximums to not only avenge the loss in the Asia Cup, but also guide his team to an impeccable total 201 in their group-stage clash against their Asian rivals.

His quintessential contribution with the ball, that saw him pick up two wickets, sealed Bangladesh's fate, who'd later go on to face a heartbreaking defeat against the other Asian giant – India.

Afridi has blown hot and cold throughout the year, but his contributions to the team at important junctures proved invaluable to the team. 5% of our fans who voted believe that Afridi deserved the All-rounder of the year award.