Here are Pakistan's best test cricket performers this year
Pakistan had a brilliant year in test cricket and is one of the most successful teams in the longest format in 2021. The Men in Green have won 7 of their 9 games in the calendar year and have the best odds in the world.
The Green Shirts currently occupy second place in the current cycle of the Test World Championship and, with a favorable schedule, have a good chance of qualifying for the final of the 2023 competition. Pakistan's solid performances this year have ranged from great solo performances by a number of players. Let's take a look at the top performers for Pakistan in test cricket.
Abid Ali was the highest run scorer for Pakistan in test cricket in 2021. Abid was the world's fifth highest run scorer for the calendar year when he scored 695 runs averaging 49.64 in 15 innings. He scored 2 centuries and 2 half centuries and was also named the series' player in the Pakistani clean sweep against Bangladesh.
Shaheen Afridi led the Pakistani pace attack throughout the calendar year. He finished as the highest wicket taker for Pakistan and the second highest wicket taker overall. Shaheen picked up 47 wickets averaging 17.06 in 9 games a year. His best numbers in an innings were 6/51 when he dismantled the West Indian batting unit in the second test match between the two sides. In 2021 he also picked up 3 five-wicket hauls.
Most Hundreds
A seasoned middle-tier batsman, Fawad Alam had a monumental comeback year in test cricket. The unorthodox dough scored three test centuries, most from a Pakistani dough and the third most in the world in the calendar year. Fawad scored 571 runs in the 13 innings he played in 2021, averaging 57.10.
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Most 5-fors
Hasan Ali formed an impressive partnership with Shaheen Afridi. The right pacemaker was Pakistan's second tallest wicket taker and third tallest wicket taker in the world in 2021. He collected 5 five-wicket hauls in the calendar year, the most common by a bowler around the world this year. Hasan picked up 41 wickets in 8 games with an average of 16.07.
The Pakistani team will be determined to continue their rich form in 2022 and advance to the final of the Test World Championship the following year. The Men in Green have a record home season ahead of them as they face Australia, New Zealand and England next year.