"This 'best XI' salutes those who delivered for the entirety of the WTC's two-year cycle," says Cricket Australia
Cricket Australia announced itsWorld Test Championship Team for the year 2023 by picking up players who performed well in the last two years from 2021-23.
The two years saw historic tours, new records, and amazing performances by some great players. Pakistan skipper Babar Azam was one of them who made it to the "best XI".
"This 'best XI' salutes those who delivered for the entirety of the WTC's two-year cycle, and tries to create a team that would flourish in all conditions," saidCricket Australia.
The star batter had phenomenal 24 months in the longest format of the game with over 1,500 runs in just 14 Tests and has been placed third on the team after the opening duo.
"His 425-ball 196 against Australia in Karachi was a performance of epic proportions that almost resulted in an unlikely Pakistan victory. He also notched centuries against Sri Lanka, England and New Zealand."
According to Cricket Australia, Babar played eight Tests in batter-friendly conditions in Pakistan and averaged56.30 in away games including119 against Sri Lanka in Galle.
The rest of the players in the team areAustralia's Usman Khawaja who has been chosen for the opening position. He has compiled1,608 runs in just 16 Test matches.
Sri Lanka'sDimuth Karunaratne is Khawaja's opening partner with 1,054 runs in only 12 matches.
The other players includeEngland's Joe Root with1,915 runs in 22 matches,Australia'sTravis Head with1,208 runs in 17 matches, India's Ravindra Jadeja with673 runs in 12 matches andRishabh Pant has been chosen as a wicketkeeper with 868 runs in 12 matches.
As for the bowling side, Ravichandran Ashwin has been chosen for the specialist spinner role with61 wickets in just 13 matches. Australia's Pat Cummins — who is made the captain of the team — has53 wickets in 15 matches, South Africa'sKagiso Rabada has67 wickets in 13 matches, and England'sJames Anderson with 58 wickets in 15 matches.