10 teams, more than 150 players, one champion and quite a few top performers – that’s how the last 45 days unfolded in the biggest carnival of cricket, called the ICC ODI World Cup. From stunning performances to severe heartbreaks, this tournament entertained the fans in abundance. It also witnessed several superstars in making while some attaining the stature of a legend.
But many failed to leave an impact in the tournament. They were expected to turn the tables for their team but instead, they were found biting the dust. As the tournament concludes, let’s have a look at a combination of 11 players who produced flop shows in the World Cup 2023.
- Imam-ul-Haq
It was a forgettable campaign for the left-handed Pakistan opener as he played six matches and scored just one half-century. Imam faced a lot of scrutiny for his defensive approach with the bat in the powerplay overs which cost the Pakistan team. The team management backed him for the first six matches and then went back to Fakhar Zaman whose terrific form shut the doors for Imam in the tournament. Meanwhile, it was also an underwhelming campaign for the Pakistan side as they failed to qualify for the semi-finals.
Matches – 6, Runs – 162, Average – 27, 100 – 0, 50 – 1
- Temba Bavuma (C)
As a captain, Bavuma fared well but when it came to batting it was a complete disaster. The Proteas skipper scored just 145 runs in 8 matches and failed to register a 50-plus score throughout the tournament. He missed a couple of matches due to fitness concerns but he failed to grab the opportunity to shine on his first World Cup. When the stakes were high in the semi-final he elected to bat first in overcast conditions and was dismissed for a duck in the first over itself.
Matches – 8, Runs – 145, Average – 18.12, 100 – 0, 50 – 0
- Joe Root
The premier batter entered the tournament with a massive reputation and with the tag of defending champion but he failed to get going and looked unprepared for the Indian conditions. He scored just 276 runs in 9 matches. His underwhelming form cost England on the big stage as when a number 3 of any side fails regularly it hampers the balance of any unit.
Matches – 9, Runs – 276, Average – 30.66, 100 – 0, 50 – 3
- Babar Azam
The Pakistan captain failed to handle the pressure on the biggest stage of all. There were massive expectations from him as many expected him to be the player to look out for but it ended on a drastic note for him as he failed to guide Pakistan to semis. It looked like the captaincy pressure also affected his batting as he scored just 320 runs in 9 matches and failed to make any major impact with the bat. There was not one match-winning knock which came off his bat in the World Cup.
Matches – 9, Runs – 320, Average – 40, 100 – 0, 50 – 4
- Jos Buttler (WK)
He was the biggest disappointment of the World Cup. After guiding England to the T20 WC title, there were massive expectations from Buttler who was leading the defending ODI champions but it was a shambolic campaign for him and his team. Buttler failed to register a single 50-plus score in the tournament and failed to inspire his side as skipper. The wicketkeeper batter has played a lot of cricket on Indian soil and is considered one of the biggest IPL stars at the moment.
Matches – 9, Runs – 138, Average – 15.33, 100 – 0, 50 – 0
- Shakib Al Hasan
Before the mega event, Shakib already announced that the 2023 World Cup is going to be his last and he failed to make it count. The all-rounder had a dismal show with both and bat and scored just one half-century that too came in his last match of the campaign. He flopped miserably with the bat and had underwhelming performances with the ball as Bangladesh finished 8th on the points table. Bangladesh won only two matches in the league stage and Shakib’s poor form was one of the biggest reasons behind their debacle.
Matches – 7, Runs – 186, Average – 26.57, 100 – 0, 50 – 1, Wickets – 9
- Shadab Khan
Despite being the vice-captain of Pakistan, Shadab had a reality check when he was dropped in the games against Bangladesh and New Zealand. He managed just 2 wickets in 6 games, conceding 237 runs at an average of 118.50; the worst among all Pakistan bowlers. The all-rounder is considered as a match-winner in the team but this World Cup was nightmarish for him. He didn’t bowl against South Africa and remained wicketless against the likes of England, Afghanistan and India. With the bat, he got just 121 runs in 6 matches.
Matches – 6, Runs – 121, Wickets – 2, Bowling Avg – 118.50
- Maheesh Theekshana
A stint with Chennai Super Kings earlier this year gave the fans a feeling that Maheesh Theekshana will be one of the spinners to watch out for. He ended up picking 11 wickets in 13 games. But he couldn’t replicate the same magic in the Lanka jersey in the fifty-over format. Six wickets in 8 games, conceding 382 runs, with best figures 2 for 44 against Bangladesh – that’s how Theekshana fared in the tournament. Though he has a long way to go, his performance in the ODI World Cup will be a massive lesson for the 23-year-old.
Matches – 8, Wickets – 6, Runs Conceded – 382, Average – 63.66
- Bas de Leede
Bas was expected to follow the footsteps of his father Tim, who stole the show in the 2003 World Cup with magical figures of 4/35 against India. The son did pick up 4 wickets against Pakistan and ended the tournament as the highest wicket-taker for the Netherlands with 16 scalps. But he couldn’t put a check on the run flow. He leaked 487 runs in 9 matches, at an economy rate of 7.26 is one of the reasons why The Netherlands missed out on a top-four finish.
Matches – 9, Wickets – 16, Runs Conceded – 487, Eco. Rate – 7.26
- Haris Rauf
If Pakistan had a forgettable campaign, Rauf’s was even harsher. He was among wickets in 7 out of 9 games played in the tournament and ended up with 16 scalps. But he also set an unwanted record. He conceded 533 runs in 9 games, going past the tally of Adil Rashid to set the record for conceding the most runs in a single edition of a World Cup.
Matches – 9, Wickets 16, Runs – 533, Eco. – 6.74
- Mustafizur Rahman
The fizz was missing for Bangladesh as Mustafizur was not at his brutal best. 5 wickets in 8 games was simply an understatement from a class left-arm pacer on Indian conditions. The Bangladesh were completely out of sorts and so was Mustafizur who failed to deliver with the ball big time.
Matches – 8, Wickets – 5, Runs conceded – 398, Avg – 79.60
ICC World Cup 2023 Flop XI: Imam ul Haq, Temba Bavuma (c), Joe Root, Babar Azam, Jos Buttler (wk), Shakib al Hasan, Shadab Khan, Maheesh Theekshana, Bas De Leede, Haris Rauf.
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