Islamabad
Pakistani wicketkeeper batsman Mohammad Rizwan has been featured in Wisden’s current World Test XI team as its wicketkeeper.
A panel consisting of Wisden’s managing editor Ben Gardner, the website’s features writer Taha Hashim, and Wisden India editor Aadya Sharma picked the squad.
“The aim was to create a team that would be successful anywhere in the world, and it was up to the panel to decide on the balance of the side, as well as the batting order,” stated the website.
Wisden appointed New Zealand captain Kane Williamson as the skipper of the side and instead of Rishab Pant, included Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan.
“I picked Mohammad Rizwan because you can just rely on him in any situation. He’ll score whatever type of runs you need and he’s very good technically,” wrote Ben Gardner.
Describing the Pakistani opening batsman as a “is a man for all situations”, Gardner said that the manner in which Rizwan has played so far in white-ball cricket suggests his technique is sound and he can bat well in Tests as well.
Wisden India’s writer Aadya Sharma said India’s Rishab Pant is a great batsman but he doesn’t have the consistency to be selected in the World Test XI squad.
“It’s Rizwan for me. Rishabh Pant is obviously a great batsman but the only thing that comes with him is that doubt over his consistency.
Rizwan has great technique and could do really well across conditions, across attacks,” wrote Sharma.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam maintained his number 1 position on the Men’s T20I player rankings released by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday.
Sitting on the first spot in the rankings, Azam has, however, slid from 839 to 809 points, while England’s Dawid Malan, too, maintained his ranking at second position with 805 points.
Pakistan’s hot favorite wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan stood fourth place in the rankings list with 735 points, while left-hand batter Fakhar Zaman slid five points and stood 35th.
Sri Lankan cricketer Wanindu Hasaranga still sits atop the T20I bowling rankings, while Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi came in 11th and Shadab Khan, sliding two points down, came in 14th.
Among the all-rounders, Mohammad Nabi of Afghanistan claimed the top spot.—Agencies
