Babar, Shan named in Wisden’s Test Team of the Year

In the Wisden Test Team of the Year 2020, opener Shan Masood was selected, as on Tuesday they picked out the best performers from the last 12 months.

In the six trials, the prolific Babar scored 600 runs at an average of 100. Three centuries were made by the Lahore-born cricketer and 143 was his highest score.

“That’s not a poor score, all told. Babar Azam made sure that Test Cricket’s return was a joyous, victorious one and it was fitting for him a player who had already inspired such optimism in the country, to offer even more. Despite an average of just under 50, this hell to be disappointed with his exploits in England shows how high his expectations are now, Wisden said.

Meanwhile in six tests, Shan scored 419 runs at a 46.55 average.

Three tonnes in three consecutive innings, even though he tailed off quite alarmingly against England, won Shan his spot in this squad, Wisden wrote.

In August of this year, Shan scored his best knock of 156 off 319 balls against England at Old Trafford. England started outstandingly on day one before lunch, and Shan rode it out. Then he couldn’t yet cash in, even though the home bowlers erred. But on the second day as Pakistan fell to 176-5, he came into his own, spreading his shoulders steadily as his batting partners dwindled. Shan should have been a match-winning knock, but Chris Woakes and Jos Buttler had other thoughts, having battled against England until his 156 was more than he managed in four previous tests against them combined.

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson leads the Wisdens Test Team of the Year while Dom Sibley, Marnus Labuschagne, Ben Stokes, Quinton de Kock, Kyle Jamieson, Stuart Broad, Tim Southee and Nathan Lyon are among the other players.