World Cup 2023

Unveiling the Flop Playing XI of World Cup 2023

by
Zainab Shafiq
November 19, 2023

Table of Contents

As the cricketing world eagerly watches the thrilling final showdown between Australia and India in the World Cup 2023, it’s time to reflect on the players who failed to leave their mark during this highly anticipated tournament.

The group stage has concluded, and amidst the excitement, some key players struggled to make any significant impact. Let’s look into the disappointments that make up the ‘Flop Playing XI’ of the World Cup 2023.

Flop Playing XI of World Cup 2023

Temba Bavuma – South Africa’s Struggling Skipper: South African skipper Temba Bavuma led his team to the semifinals, but his personal performance left much to be desired. Scoring only 145 runs at an average of 18.12, Bavuma faced a challenging time on the field, failing to meet the expectations set by his leadership.
Imam-ul-Haq – A Fall from the Top Tier: Prior to the World Cup, Imam-ul-Haq held a prominent position in the ICC ODI batters rankings. However, his performance in WC23 fell below expectations, managing only 162 runs with a mediocre average of 27.00 and a strike rate of 90.
Harry Brook – England’s Powerhouse Falters: England had high hopes for Harry Brook, expecting him to be a powerhouse for the team. Unfortunately, in six games, he could only muster 169 runs at an average of 28.16. The entire England team faced a challenging season, and Brook’s underwhelming performance added to their woes.
Mushfiqur Rahim – Unmet Expectations from Bangladesh’s Batting Maestro: Bangladesh’s veteran, Mushfiqur Rahim, was anticipated to be a key contributor, but he could only manage 202 runs in nine matches at an average of 25.25. His performance fell short of the expectations placed on him as a seasoned campaigner.
Tom Latham – Kiwi Skipper’s Batting Struggles: Filling in for Kane Williamson, Tom Latham led the Kiwis admirably but struggled with the bat. Scoring a mere 155 runs in eight innings at an average of 25.83 and a strikingly low rate of 91.17, Latham’s contributions as a batter were far from impressive.
Jos Buttler – England Skipper’s Forgettable Tournament: England’s skipper Jos Buttler had a tournament to forget, failing both as a leader and a player. With only 138 runs at an average of 15.33, Buttler’s struggles epitomized England’s overall disappointing performance in the World Cup.
Shadab Khan – All-Rounder’s Dismal Display: Expected to be a frontline all-rounder, Shadab Khan’s performance fell flat. With 121 runs and only two wickets in hand, Shadab struggled to make a significant impact, raising questions about his place in the squad.
Mark Wood – Disappointing Bowling Figures: Anticipated to replicate his success from the Ashes, Mark Wood failed to live up to expectations. Conceding 349 runs in seven games, Wood’s bowling performance was far from the wonders that were hoped for.
Mustafizur Rahman – Bangladesh’s Pace Leader Falls Short: Supposed to lead Bangladesh’s pace attack, Mustafizur Rahman managed only five wickets in eight matches, conceding a substantial 398 runs in 65.4 overs. His performance left Bangladesh longing for the pace charge they had envisioned.
Maheesh Thekshana – Heavy Duty, Light Impact: Entrusted with the heavy duty of bowling with the new ball, Maheesh Thekshana struggled upon his return from injury. With six wickets and 382 runs conceded in 71.2 overs, Thekshana’s performance failed to make the impact his team desperately needed.
Haris Rauf – Prolific Wicket-Taker with a Costly Economy: Despite being Pakistan’s frontline pacer and bagging 15 wickets, Haris Rauf conceded a staggering 533 runs, becoming the highest run-scorer by any bowler in a single edition of the World Cup. His wickets came at a high cost, raising concerns about his economy rate.

As the World Cup 2023 nears its conclusion, these eleven players find themselves in the shadows of disappointment, reminding us that even in the grandest of tournaments, not every player can shine. How would you rate this Flop Playing XI? Tell us in the comments below.