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Former captain Rashid Latif has revealed his ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023–25 Team of the Tournament, and it features some of the biggest names in world cricket, but not a single Pakistani cricketer.
Latif shared his XI on X (formerly Twitter), selecting South Africa’s title-winning skipper Temba Bavuma as captain and Kyle Verreynne as the wicketkeeper.
The opening duties go to India’s Yashasvi Jaiswal and Australia’s Usman Khawaja.
Jaiswal was a revelation for India, piling up 1,798 runs at an average of 52.88 with four centuries. Khawaja, the rock of Australia’s top order, followed with 1,428 runs at 39.66.
WTC 23-25
Team of Tournament
Vashasvi Jaiswal
Usman Khawaja
Joe Root
Temba Bavuma Captain
Harry Brook
Kamindu Mendis
Kyle Verreynne WK
Nathan Lyon
Matt Henry
KG Rabada
Jasprit Bumrah pic.twitter.com/WGuxwN0YC8— Rashid Latif | 🇵🇰 (@iRashidLatif68) June 18, 2025
At No. 3, Rashid Latif named England’s Joe Root, who led the WTC run charts with a staggering 1,968 runs at 54.66, including seven centuries, underlining his class yet again.
The middle order is a mix of resilience and flair. Bavuma gets the nod not just for his leadership but also for guiding South Africa to their first ICC title in over two decades.
He’s joined by England’s Harry Brook (1,463 runs) and Sri Lanka’s rising star Kamindu Mendis, who impressed with 1,123 runs at a phenomenal 62.38 average.
Latif’s bowling attack blends guile and firepower. Nathan Lyon (66 wickets) is the lone specialist spinner, joined by pace trio Matt Henry (48 wickets), Kagiso Rabada, and Jasprit Bumrah.
The Indian pacer bowled brilliantly during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, bagging 32 wickets and the Player of the Series award. Bumrah finished the WTC cycle with 77 scalps, just behind Pat Cummins’ 80.
The final itself was a historic moment for South Africa. They stunned Australia at Lord’s, chasing down 282 runs to clinch their maiden WTC title.
Bavuma and Aiden Markram led with the bat, while the bowlers turned the screws in the second innings to spark emotional scenes for a side still chasing white-ball redemption.
Pakistan, meanwhile, ended the WTC cycle at the bottom of the table, winning just five of 14 Tests, which perhaps explains their absence from Latif’s elite XI.
Rashid Latif WTC 2023–25 Team of the Tournament: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Usman Khawaja, Joe Root, Temba Bavuma (c), Harry Brook, Kamindu Mendis, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Nathan Lyon, Matt Henry, Kagiso Rabada, Jasprit Bumrah.
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