The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday announced the Men's Test Team of the Year, consisting of 11 outstanding players from around the world.
The ICC named Pakistan's Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Fawad Alam as the Test Team of the Year for their tremendous performances throughout the calendar year.
The team comprises 11 outstanding individuals who have impressed one and all - be it with the bat, the ball or their all-rounder exploits in a calendar year, the ICC reported.
ICC Men's Test Team of the Year
The ICC Men's Test Team of the Year includes the following outstanding players:
Kane Williamson (Captain) - New Zealand
Leading the 2021 ICC Test Team of the Year, Kane Williamson was an impressive leader for New Zealand, leading them to glory in the inaugural World Test Championship final against India in Southampton. He was also steady with the bat, scoring 395 runs in 4 matches at an average of 65.83 with a century.
Dimuth Karunaratne - Sri Lanka
The Sri Lanka captain is a worthy addition to the team, as he has consistently given his team solid starts throughout the calendar year. He scored 902 runs in 7 matches at an average of 69.38 with four centuries.
Marnus Labuschagne - Australia
His exploits led him to climb to the top of the charts of the MRF Tires ICC Test Player Rankings for batting. Labuschagne scored 526 runs in 5 matches at an average of 65.75 with two centuries.
Joe Root - England
The year 2021 was one for the ages for Joe Root as he scored 1,708 runs in 15 matches at an average of 61. He also made six tones, all memorable in nature and of the highest order. His 1,708 runs are the third most runs in a calendar year in the history of Test cricket.
Fawad Alam - Pakistan
He was at his stellar best in 2021, scoring 571 runs in 9 matches at an average of 57.10 with three centuries. His century came in tough conditions against South Africa, Zimbabwe and West Indies.
Hassan Ali - Pakistan
His best year ever in the longest format, Ali took 41 wickets in 9 matches at a sensational average of 16.07. He took five wickets once in the match of 10/114 and recorded the best bowling figures.
Shaheen Afridi - Pakistan
Afridi displayed excellent pace with the new ball and reversed the old ball, taking 47 wickets at an average of 17.06 in nine matches, including three five-wicket hauls.
Rishabh Pant - India
He scored 748 runs in 12 matches at an average of 39.36, including a memorable century against England in Ahmedabad. He also accounted for 39 dismissals in 23 innings, his gloves continuing to improve.
Ravichandran Ashwin - India
Ashwin took 54 wickets in 9 matches at an average of 16.64, making a big impact in the home series against England and New Zealand. He also scored 355 runs at an average of 25.35, including a crucial century against England in Chennai.
Rohit Sharma - India
He scored 906 runs in the calendar year at an average of 47.68 with two hundreds. With important assignments to come, Sharma will have a crucial role to play for India in 2022.
Kyle Jamieson - New Zealand
With superb pace and bounce on the surface, he took 27 wickets in 5 matches at an average of 17.51. He also scored 105 runs at 17.50 and was adjudged Player of the Match in the ICC World Test Championship final against India in Southampton.