Mustafizur Rahman shines as Wisden names Men's T20 Team of the Year

Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman has been named in Wisden's Men's T20 Team of the Year following a standout season in T20 cricket across international matches and franchise leagues. 

The left-arm seamer earned a place in the best XI selected by the respected cricket publication after an impressive 2025 campaign during which he took 59 wickets in 43 recognised T20 innings at an economy rate of 6.78 runs per over. Among bowlers who delivered at least 150 overs over the calendar year, Mustafizur's bowling average of 18.03 was the best, and no other pacer proved more economical. Only Caribbean all-rounder Jason Holder recorded a slightly better strike rate. 

According to Wisden, the team was selected by evaluating performances in all formats of recognised T20 cricket worldwide, reflecting the packed schedule leading into the 2026 T20 World Cup. Mustafizur's consistency in both restricting runs and taking regular wickets was cited as key to his inclusion. 

The 2025 T20 XI features a mix of international and franchise stars, including India's Abhishek Sharma and England's Phil Salt as openers, South African batters Dewald Brevis and Donovan Ferreira, Australian power hitter Tim David, spinners Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine, and pace bowling all-rounders Sam Curran and Holder. New Zealand's Jacob Duffy joins Mustafizur in the pace attack. 

Mustafizur's selection adds to a series of individual accolades for the 29-year-old, who has established himself as one of Bangladesh's most potent T20 bowlers in recent years.