Matthew Hayden
To deny him this spot is simply to deny the obvious facts. His consistency in Twenty20 (when he isn't 'rested') is immense and is rarely found short on shots. In fact these days it seems he has made an extra couple up. Making a clean start is crucial in limited overs and this is the player who delivers clean starts with the most punch.
Chris Gayle
Gayle's whirlwind century at the World Championship says all that really needs to be said. There are plenty of hard hitting openers, but this guy is an enigma. As South Africa saw not long ago, there are few batsman you want injured more, but even fewer where an injury still isn't enough to feel safe. Gayle also bowls a cunning off break that tells of a player who is much more than brawn.
Kevin Pietersen
KP might have his rough parts and sometimes a really stupid looking head, but he is pretty much a genius. I can't say I've seen anyone else reverse sweep for six and the only other instance that I've heard of is Andy Flower. He has all the shots and all the magic.
Andrew Symonds
A menace still finding space to grow in stature, it can seem at times that 'Roy' is simply unstoppable. He takes his chances, but he never looks back. Possibly the best limited overs player on batting alone, it's easy to forget he is a slow bowler and an important fieldsman.
Yuvraj Singh
He may be a limited-overs specialist, but he specialises well. His six-hitting was crucial to India's tournament victory and without him firing they do not look the same.
Misbah-Ul-Haq
Set Pakistani hearts racing when in South Africa where even in the absence of Inzi and Yousuf, they found their team still had a heart. Pakistan's top order often gave way and when it did hold together it could be brutally sluggish. Nevertheless, Misbah-Ul-Haq turned out to be Pakistan's Michael Hussey, a seasoned domestic player with robust technique, a shot for every occasion and an almost adamantine temper, coming in late and rescuing the team.
MS Dhoni
An Indian hero in the making, although his once carefree batting does now seem to be weighed down with the importance of his station. He takes it upon himself to stabilise India when he bats, but the lusty blows are still there. With the gloves on, he's just as accountable and considering his victories, seems like a young captain worthy of any praise.
Shahid Afridi
Not quite the juggernaut he once promised and Twenty20 does seem to extinguish whatever vestige of consistency his batting has, but nevertheless it is a game where a fast 20 might be all you need. In Twenty20, Shahid Afridi is more a bowler than a batsman and his varied bowling is certainly a key to the way Pakistan play. Whatever he's doing, he is one the fans pay to see.
Danny Vettori
Vettori seems to stick it up the naysayers by proving that spin bowling is a powerful art even in a game where the ball is never old. The NZ captain is a frustrating left arm spin bowler and also a rather frustrating lower order batsman. He might rely more on containment than sheer penetration, but his overs break many a game.
Umar Gul
Another player so vital to Pakistan's South African campaign because they relied so strongly on working with low totals. A gifted youngster in his own right, Umar Gul supplied Pakistan's pace attack with what would pass for seniority if we didn't know better.
Shaun Tait
The wild card entry that makes my lineup worth wasting time on. Although he has yet only played one T20I and is currently regarded as away from cricket indefinitely, he is so undeniably ready-built for Twenty20 that I have to have him on the list. On his feet and firing he is faster than any of his peers and a triumphant World Cup campaign suggested he was not only good enough to make the grade, but looking to be an important cog in Australia's next era. Alas what started as a simple elbow arthroscope in July 07 lead to a calamitously overgrown recovery period and left him lacking in fitness for all but a short period in December, where he seemed as if he was quite close to his best. His debut T20I had New Zealand rattled in a heartbeat.
12th man: Lasith Malinga
Ok, so if you didn't buy that rant about Tait, then here is a second option. By far the most impressing feature of Malinga in T20 is his ability to bowl the yorker. Repeatedly. It doesn't matter how good the pitch is, that is always a powerful asset. We've also seen Malinga tear the odd game to pieces, so let's not suggest he's a one trick pony. He really is a fine bowler.
Designated Substitute: Michael Clarke
If you're picking a sub out of the entire world, it's probably coming down to either Clarke or de Villiers. Many of us have long written off Clarkey's prowess as a power hitter, but his use of the umbrella field against India's number 11 at the MCG warrants a special mention alone. It's a hint of wit that belies what is more often imagined of cricketers.
