Holder hailed by CWI for outstanding World Cup performance

Cricket West Indies (CWI) has extended congratulations to all-rounder Jason Holder on his selection to the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Team of the Tournament.

The 34-year-old, a member of the West Indies’ 2016 title winning group, earned his place among this year’s tournament’s elite following standout performances throughout the month-long competition. 

The Team of the Tournament was selected by a panel of respected former players and commentators, who covered the global showpiece.

Holder delivered a superb all-round campaign for the Men in Maroon, claiming ten wickets while contributing 141 runs at a remarkable strike rate of 174.07 and an average of 35.25.

One of his defining moments came with a powerful 33 from 17 balls, an innings that propelled West Indies to a competitive 196 for 6 against England. Those runs proved decisive as the Caribbean side defended the total to secure a 30-run victory.

The former West Indies captain also etched his name in the tournament’s record books, sharing in a world-record eighth-wicket partnership of 89 runs with Romario Shepherd against South Africa in the Super Eights in Ahmedabad. Holder’s 49 from 31 balls helped rescue the innings after the West Indies had slipped to 83 for seven.

He also produced another late flourish against eventual champions India, striking 37 from 22 balls to lift West Indies to a competitive 195 for four.

With the ball, the towering 6’7” all-rounder used bounce and discipline to troubling effect, highlighted by a superb haul of 4-27 against Nepal at the Wankhede Stadium, setting up a dominant nine-wicket victory.

Reflecting on the honour, Holder expressed pride in the recognition.

“This is a proud moment and achievement in what was really my first full T20 World Cup, as surprising as it may sound. I just felt like everything for me was in alignment. My game is in a good place, I kept things simple, lived in the moment and contributed whenever the team needed me,” Holder said.

CWI’s Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe, praised Holder’s impact and professionalism over the course of the tournament. ​

“Jason’s impact on the team and its performance during the tournament was undeniable. His selection to the Team of the Tournament is richly deserved and reflects the quality, experience and composure he continues to bring to West Indies cricket. 

“His ability to influence games with both bat and ball, particularly in key moments, speaks to his value and his leadership. We are extremely proud of his performances and the role they played in the team’s success this year, but also what those performances represented for West Indies cricket on a whole,” Bascombe said.

Holder’s achievement also reflected the spirited performances of the West Indies team throughout the tournament.

Explosive left-hander Shimron Hetmyer produced a memorable campaign, scoring 248 runs in seven innings, the most by a West Indian in a single T20 World Cup, at an average of 41.33 and an electrifying strike rate of 186.46, including two half-centuries.

Meanwhile, Sherfane Rutherford delivered one of the tournament’s most thrilling innings with a career-best 76 not out from 42 balls against England, as West Indies thrilled fans with an astonishing 76 sixes across the competition.

Holder credited the team’s unity and determination for the memorable campaign.

“Everyone wanted the same result and the same success. We buckled down as a team and worked hard to bring a proud feeling to the people of the Caribbean,” he said.

 (PR)