CPL 2018 - Team of the tournament

Colin Munro

New Zealand's white-ball specialist has easily been the most consistent batsman in the tournament. Colin Munro was the only batsman to score more than 500 runs this season, as he ended up with 567, 110 more than the second best. The left-hander hit six fifties in the tournament, including three in the space of four games. Despite losing steam towards the end, scoring only 35 runs in the last three games leading upto the final, Munro stepped up on the big night striking an unbeaten 68 to help Trinbago Knight Riders retain the title.

Glenn Phillips

No batsman has cleared the ropes more than Glenn Phillips in this year's CPL. The big-hitting young Kiwi's stocks have risen following the success he has had in this tournament, having amassed more than 450 runs at a strike rate of almost 147. His best performance came in the Eliminator where he struck a century, only to end up on the losing side. His performances this season are bound to help him knock on the doors for an ODI spot ahead of next year's World Cup.

Shimron Hetmyer

The best Windies batsman in the tournament, Shimron Hetmyer, will now hope that his exploits this season will help him break into the national T20 side. Batting at 3, Hetmyer was at his aggressive best, hitting a couple of fifties apart from the 49-ball 100 against Jamaica Tallawahs earlier in the tournament. Despite failing to fire in the final, Hetmyer still ended up scoring 440 runs in the tournament at an average of 40.

Darren Bravo

Despite playing more than 100 games in the format, Darren Bravo has never been considered a threat in T20 cricket. Perhaps, that reputation will change now with him scoring heavily in CPL 2018. He scored back-to-back fifties with the first one coming in a big run chase where he hit 10 sixes in an unbeaten 94 off just 36 deliveries. Among the top five run-getters, Bravo is the only batsman to have hit more sixes than fours, finishing with 24 big hits.

Rovman Powell

Batting ahead of the likes of David Miller and Andre Russell, Rovman Powell made the most of the opportunities that came his way in this year's CPL. Powell went through a purple patch towards the end where he amassed 238 runs in four innings. He finished this year's campaign at an impressive average of 54.83, striking at 162. Despite his efforts, Jamaica Tallawahs failed to reach the final. Powell can also chip in as the fifth or the sixth bowler in the side, having picked up five wickets in the tournament.

Kieron Pollard

St Lucia Stars had a campaign to forget, losing six out of their ten games but skipper Kieron Pollard stood tall amidst the ruins. It's a tournament that Pollard will never forget as he scored his first ever T20 century, having registered 41 fifties prior to that. More impressively, that ton came with Pollard batting at No 5 in that game, striking eight sixes. Pollard and Powell can form an intimidating partnership as finishers in this lineup.

Dwayne Bravo (C)

It was quite a close call between Dwayne Bravo and Andre Russell. Both these world-class allrounders had indifferent campaigns. While Bravo finished with an economy of 10.64 despite fetching 13 wickets, Russell had a better record, picking 14 wickets at an economy of 8.75, having played two games lesser. But in the batting department, apart from that whirlwind knock of 121*, Russell failed to deliver for his side whereas Bravo kept chipping with vital contributions at the death. With Bravo also leading his side to the title, he gets the nod ahead of Russell.

Fawad Ahmed

He is no longer in the reckoning for a spot in the national side, but Fawad Ahmed gave a reminder of his abilities with a strong show in this year's CPL. Not many spinners have managed to outperform Sunil Narine while bowling alongside him but the veteran did just that, finishing the tournament as its leading wicket-taker with 22 scalps that came at an incredible economy of 6.18. In the final, he got the big wicket of Hetmyer that helped the Knight Riders restrict Guyana Amazon Warriors to a par score, which they eventually chased down with ease.

Oshane Thomas

Another youngster from the Caribbean islands to make an impact this season was Oshane Thomas. The 21-year-old, representing the Tallawahs in his breakthrough season, ended up just four short of Fawad's tally, despite playing three games less. The seamer was consistent throughout the tournament, picking at least one wicket in every single game that he played. Thomas will now be hopeful of making the next grade following his exploits on the big stage.

Imran Tahir

Fawad and Imran Tahir are among the top three wicket-takers this season. No wonder the legspinners are the most sought after bowlers in this format. With 16 wickets, Tahir was the go-to bowler for the Warriors in their run to the final. Among the top five wicket-takers, only the South African has an economy less than six (5.91). Unfortunately, with his teammates failing to fire in the final, the Knight Riders opted to play out Tahir's quota of four overs to ensure they defend their title successfully.

Ali Khan

With five foreigners allowed in the playing XI, Ali Khan from the USA rounds off the XI following some top performances this season. After impressing in the inaugural Global T20, Khan carried that form into the CPL as well, finishing with 16 wickets in the tournament. He was the lead pacer for Knight Riders and set the tone for the win in the final with a wicket off the very first ball of the match.