CPL 2019 TEAM OF THE TOURNAMENT: Who joins Brandon King and Shoaib Malik in the XI?

The Cricketer highlights the star performers from the seventh edition of the Caribbean competition, with five of the six sides represented...

Brandon King (Guyana Amazon Warriors): The breakout star of the competition who is now destined for global stardom. Fell just short of 500 runs for the tournament but left an indelible mark thanks to three fifties and a sparkling hundred against the Tridents. Deserved to finish on the winning side, but it was not to be.

Rahkeem Cornwall (St Lucia Zouks): Worth his weight in runs. There is nothing not to like about the Zouks opener who is as talented as he is imposing. Cornwall's 254 runs at the top of the order came at an eye-watering strike-rate of 190.97. No player who reached three figures for the competition got them faster.

Lendl Simmons (Trinbago Knight Riders): Though King finished the competition with more runs, Simmons went at a faster rate than his fellow opener, though he was left trailing in the boundary stakes. Was key to TKR reaching Qualifier 2, including a run of three half-centuries in as many games. 

Shoaib Malik (Guyana Amazon Warriors): There were few better allrounders in the Caribbean than the Pakistan jack-of-all-trades. His bowling economy rate of 5.29 was only bettered by four players, while his batting average of 63.40 was the best around. Another who will feel wronged by the final outcome.

^{Imran Tahir was once again in amongst the wickets}

Nicholas Pooran (Guyana Amazon Warriors): Perhaps not the vintage tournament the West Indies man would have desired, yet his contribution was still vital. Scored 192 runs in nine innings coming in down the order and finished with nine dismissals with the gloves. His 61 from 30 balls against the Tridents in the group stage was a bit special.

Kieron Pollard (Trinbago Knight Riders): Second only to Malik in the allrounder stakes. His 349 runs were the most impressive aspect of his campaign, coming at a touch under 160 and at an average of 58.16. Took six handy wickets with the ball including two in successive balls, albeit in vain, against the Tridents.

Fabian Allen (St Kitts and Nevis Patriots): Allen was everywhere during the CPL. His 218 runs came at an incredible strike-rate of 177.23, while his economy rate with the ball was at an admirable and reliable 8.35. Furthermore, he was electric in the field, taking five catches. A genuine all-round display.

Imran Tahir (Guyana Amazon Warriors): The best bowler in the tournament by a distance. Tahir continues to roll back the years, with his performances only bettered by his celebrations. In six straight games, he took two wickets or more to drive the Warriors into the knock-out phase. His 16 scalps were underpinned by the best economy rate of the competition.

^{Rahkeem Cornwall produced some sparkling displays}

Raymon Reifer (Barbados Tridents): The 28-year-old has a wafer-thin international pedigree but that could be about to change thanks to his displays at the sharp end of the competition. It was a rather underwhelming campaign up until the play-off stage when two wickets and an unbeaten 24 in Qualifier 2 against the Riders was followed up by figures of 4-24 in the final, which saw the Tridents scoop the title. Only four bowlers finished a game with better figures.

Hayden Walsh (Barbados Tridents): The best single figures of the CPL were recorded by leg-spinner Walsh, who finished with 5-19 against the Riders during the group phase. He was a consistent force, picking up 22 wickets in all, the best of any bowler. Granted, Walsh was expensive but he proved the old adage that T20 success is often dictated by the strength of the bowling attack. 

Harry Gurney (Barbados Tridents): The best left-arm T20 bowler in the world? England are going to have to come up with some better excuses as to why Gurney continues to be ignored. The Nottinghamshire man might be 32 but he is a handy as anyone with the new ball and at the back-end. His 13 wickets were vital, but an economy rate of 6.16 - the third-best of the tournament - was equally as valuable.