LONDON: World’s top-ranked ODI batters Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq have been named in Wisden’s men’s ODI team of the year 2022.
Wisden – a renowned cricket publication – picked a combined world team in the men’s ODIs featuring players who enjoyed a scintillating year in the 50-over format.
Consequently, Pakistan’s opening batter Imam, alongside his captain and top-ranked batter Babar was featured in the team of the year as they both had a remarkable year in the ODIs.
Apart from the duo of Babar and Imam, the combined XI features Travis Head (Australia), Shreyas Iyer (India), Tom Latham (New Zealand), Rassie van der Dussen (South Africa), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Bangladesh), Alzarri Joseph (West Indies), Mohammed Siraj (India), Adam Zampa (Australia) and Trent Boult (New Zealand).
The second-ranked T20I batter Imam had another remarkable year with the bat in ODIs as he 505 runs at 72.14 in eight ODIs with the help of two centuries that came in the home series against Australia.
“In each of his first six innings this year, Imam-ul-Haq made it to 60, demonstrating the consistency that has delivered him a record-breaking start to his ODI career,” wrote Wisden about Imam.
Meanwhile Pakistan’s star batter and captain Babar, too, had another scintillating year with the bat in ODIs. The top-ranked batter continued to pile runs in the shorter format and perhaps amassed 679 runs in just nine matches at an astounding average of 84.87, laced with three centuries.
Meanwhile, the right-handed batter also has five fifties to his name in ODIs this year.
“By now established as perhaps the pre-eminent ODI batter of his era, 2022 was another bumper year for Babar Azam,” wrote Wisden.
“He reached fifty in eight of his nine innings, with three consecutive hundreds against Australia and West Indies making him the first batter to make a trio of tons in a row twice,” the statement added.
It is pertinent to mention that having won the ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year award last year, Babar is once again in the race for the title as he was among the nominees announced by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday.
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