CPL 2018: Combined Best XI from all the seasons

T20 cricket runs through the veins of the West Indian players and the amount of entertainment Caribbean Premier League (CPL) provides is a testament to it. Although the tournament has remained in the shadow of some other lucrative leagues like Indian Premier League (IPL) and Big Bash League, the entertainment-seeking audience has thoroughly enjoyed the Caribbean extravaganza. The tournament gears up for its sixth edition, which is set to kick-start in a few hours as the defending champions Trinbago Knight Riders will lock horns with St. Lucia Stars. Trinidad will play hosts to this mouthwatering clash and the whole of the Caribbean will pause for a month or so to witness the biggest carnival in the sport. This time around, the second qualifier and the final will be played at the newly constructed Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad. As the tournament is just a few hours away from commencement, it’s perhaps a great time to recollect some of the best players who made this league so glorious. Here’s the best XI from all the seasons of the Caribbean Premier League: 1. Chris Gayle (St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots, Jamaica Tallawahs) Chris Gayle. (Photo by Ashley Allen – CPL T20 via Getty Images) How can an XI even start without the presence of the T20 legend and Universe boss? Christopher Henry Gayle has been outstanding for both the clubs he has represented in the CPL. The second most capped player in the league’s short-little history (55 matches), he is also the leading run-scorer in the tournament. With 1,828 runs which include 3 centuries, Gayle has been scintillating for the Tallawahs and was a part of the CPL winning team twice in 2013 and 2016. In 2017, he moved to St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots and will be keen to pull off a decent performance this coming season. 2. Andre Fletcher (St. Lucia Stars, St. Lucia Zouks) Andre Fletcher. (Photo by Ashley Allen – CPL T20 via Getty Images) Andre Fletcher has been another terrific performer in the CPL, putting up a valiant effort pretty much every season. He spent all the seasons with the St. Lucia franchise, who changed their name from St. Lucia Stars to St. Lucia Zouks. In 47 games, Fletcher has amassed 1,434 runs at an impressive average of 33.34. He also has 10 half-centuries to his name. But unfortunately for the 30-year-old, his franchise could make it to the top 4 only once in its tenure in the league. He would be keen to go a few steps further and earn a winners medal this season. 3. Lendl Simmons (Guyana Amazon Warriors, Jamaica Tallawahs, St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots) Lendl Simmons. (Photo by Ashley Allen/LatinContent/Getty Images) Lendl Simmons has been a fantastic T20 batsman from a really long time and his record in the CPL speaks volumes of his calibre. He is the second highest run-scorer in the tournament’s history and is also one of the few players as of now to have played over 50 matches in the league. With 1,494 runs in 50 matches at an average of 33.20, Lendl Simmons earns a direct entry into this list. His versatility to bat at any position is another advantage for the franchise he represents. Over the years, he has represented the likes of Guyana Amazon Warriors, Jamaica Tallawahs and St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots. 4. Dwayne Smith (Barbados Tridents, Guyana Amazon Warriors) Dwayne Smith. (Photo by Ashley Allen – CPL T20 via Getty Images) Another destructive presence in the middle order is Dwayne Smith, who has registered three-figure scores four times, more than any other player in the league. Smith was a part of the Barbados Tridents side who lifted the title in 2014 and later moved to the Guyana Amazon Warriors. He has scored 1,410 runs in 51 CPL games at an average of 30, which includes 4 centuries and 6 half-centuries. He also provides his captain a few good overs with the ball in hand, thus adding balance to the team and that makes him a very useful prospect in the lineup. 5. Shoaib Malik (Barbados Tridents) Shoaib Malik of Barbados Tridents. (Photo by Ashley Allen – CPL T20 via Getty Images) One of the few foreign players in the league who has been present ever since the commencement six years ago, Pakistan’s Shoaib Malik has represented Barbados Tridents in all the five seasons. The all-rounder was a crucial member of the side which lifted the trophy in 2014. However, he has decided to cut ties with the Tridents and will wear a new jersey this time around. Malik has scored 1,271 runs in 39 CPL matches, which includes 9 fifties. His highly impressive average of 38.51 speaks of his consistency in the middle order. Malik will be representing the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the 6th season and will also be leading them. 6. Kieron Pollard (Barbados Tridents) Kieron Pollard of Barbados Tridents. (Photo by Ashley Allen – CPL T20 via Getty Images) Ever since his exploits in the Champions League 2009, Kieron Pollard has been an integral part of every T20 league in the world. Pollard has been representing the Barbados Tridents ever since the inception of the league and his all-round performance for the side has been nothing short of fabulous. In 49 matches, Pollard has scored 1,080 runs at an average of 30, which also includes 7 fifty plus scores. With the cherry in hand, he picked up 37 wickets at a highly impressive average of 18.62. Pollard was a crucial member in the Barbados side which lifted the title in 2014. 7. Andre Russell (Jamaica Tallawahs) Andre Russell of Jamaica Tallawahs celebrates. (Photo by Randy Brooks/Getty Images Latin America for CPL) One of the most highly rated all-rounders in the world right now, Andre Russell’s market value is pretty high at this point in his career. He has been representing the Jamaica Tallawahs right from the inception of the tournament, winning the title twice with the side in 2013 and 2016. Russell missed the 2017 season serving a ban imposed on him for an Anti-Doping breach. He is back with the team now and will be gearing up to lift the title for a record third time. He has scored 847 runs and 35 wickets in the 41 games he has played in the league. 8. Dwayne Bravo (Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel, Trinbago Knight Riders) Dwayne Bravo of Trinbago Knight Riders. (Photo by Randy Brooks – CPL T20 via Getty Images) Dwayne Bravo, often called as DJ Bravo, has been a terrific performer in the Caribbean Premier League, helping the league escalate its standards. Bravo is one of the most useful all-rounders T20 cricket has seen in the last decade and his record speaks for his stature. Bravo is the leading wicket-taker in CPL history and has been a title winner twice in 2015 and 2017. He has picked up a staggering 84 wickets in 56 matches, including 739 runs with the willow. He is also the most-capped player in the history of the league with 56 matches to his name. 9. Krishmar Santokie (Guyana Amazon Warriors, Jamaica Tallawahs, St Kitts and Nevis Patriots) Krishmar Santokiea. (Photo by Randy Brooks – CPL T20 via Getty Images) Krishmar Santokie failed to replicate his domestic exploits at the International level, but one has to consent with a fact that he has been terrific in the CPL. Santokie has represented three different franchises in the league, having won the tournament once with Jamaica Tallawahs in the inaugural season. The left-arm seamer is second only to Dwayne Bravo on the list of highest wicket-takers in the tournament, with 73 scalps to his name after 49 matches. He will be keen to register a few more wickets and get as close as possible to Bravo and even become the most successful bowler. 10. Sunil Narine (Guyana Amazon Warriors, Trinbago Knight Riders) Sunil Narine (R) of Trinbago Knight Riders. (Photo by Randy Brooks – CPL T20 via Getty Images) A few seasons ago, Sunil Narine was the mystery spinner who was the X-factor in the side. Though he might have lost some zing from his bowling having to remodel his action on multiple occasions. Currently, he is a pretty effective all-rounder who can change the course of the game with the bat and ball in hand. Narine’s batting prowess was unknown for a long time, but this time he will be a key cog in the Knight Riders contingent. He represented the Guyana franchise initially, before moving to Trinbago Knight Riders. He has registered 57 wickets in 52 games and his economy of 5.25 is the best amongst all bowled with over 30 wickets. Narine was one of the key players in the Knight Riders side that won the league last season. 11. Rayad Emrit (Barbados Tridents, Guyana Amazon Warriors) Rayad Emrit. (Photo by Randy Brooks – CPL T20 via Getty Images) After being a part of the winning side in the first ever season, Rayad Emrit has not looked back in this tournament. His international career didn’t flourish as much as his CPL career, but Emrit has been proving himself as an effective T20 fast bowler. He picked up 65 wickets in 53 games at an impressive economy rate of 7.2. Emrit will have a tough challenge this season with the Guyana Amazon Warriors, who came close to winning the title on many occasions but failed to get over the final hurdle. For all the latest cricket news and other updates follow CricTracker.

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CPL 2018: Combined Best XI from all the seasons

The CPL has been entertaining the fans profusely over the few years and is all set for an enthralling sixth edition.

6. Kieron Pollard (Barbados Tridents)

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