World Cup 2019: Best XI made up of  unsung heroes

#Middle-order

Avishka Fernando, Haris Sohail, Rassie van der Dussen

Avishka Fernando (Sri Lanka)

The Sri Lankans tried Lahiru Thirimanne at the No. 3 position in the first few matches. After his repeated failures, Avishka Fernando was slotted in at No. 3 in Sri Lanka’s must-win game against England.

Sri Lanka were in early trouble in that match as they lost both the openers for just 3 runs on the board. But Fernando, playing in his first World Cup match, was not overawed by the situation as he smacked England’s fastest bowler Jofra Archer for two fours and one six in the same over.

Fernando reached 49 off 39 balls in no time, with 6 fours and 2 sixes. His innings was crucial in Sri Lanka beating England and thereby setting the World Cup ablaze.

Fernando followed that up with a run-a-ball century against West Indies.

Haris Sohail (Pakistan)

Haris Sohail played in Pakistan’s first match against West Indies and failed, along with all other Pakistan batsmen. He was dropped after that match and the more experienced Shoaib Malik was brought in his place.

After the team’s and Malik’s successive failures, Pakistan went back to Sohail in their must-win match against South Africa.

Sohail walked in to bat with just 20 overs to go and blasted 89 off 59 balls at a strike rate of 150. That innings took the match and the tournament away from South Africa.

In Pakistan’s tough run chase against New Zealand, the Pakistan left-hander was involved in a century partnership with Babar Azam. He rounded off his hat-trick of contributions with a patient innings in the match against Afghanistan.

Pakistan certainly missed Sohail in their first few matches, which turned out to be their undoing.

Rassie Van Der Dussen (South Africa)

Rassie van der Dussen made his ODI debut for South Africa only in January 2019. He was the only consistent middle-order batsman for South Africa in the World Cup with scores of 50, 41, 22, 67 not out, 36 and 95.

Van der Dussen's hurricane innings of 95 off 97 balls against Australia derailed Australia’s chances of finishing at the top of the points table. He will be the No. 5 batsman in this team.