Pakistani cricketer Babar Azam has been selected for the ICC Men’s T20I Team of the Year.

During last year, Azam scored 738 runs in 24 matches.

His statistics include six half-centuries, with his highest score being 75 and an average of 33.54 runs. Notably, he is the only Pakistani player to make it into the prestigious team.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) praised Babar for his stellar start to the year, noting that he scored three consecutive half-centuries against New Zealand.

“The 30-year-old’s ability to perform under pressure and his consistency across formats reaffirmed his status as one of the finest players in international cricket,” the cricketing body stated.

The ICC Men’s T20I Team of the Year is captained by India’s Rohit Sharma, all-rounder Hardik Pandya, however, other Indian cricketers include Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh.

Australia’s Travis Head is included in the lineup due to his crucial contribution to Australia’s T20I success, scoring at a strike rate close to 180. His four half-centuries, notably an impressive 80 against Scotland, showcased his skill and versatility against both pace and spin.

England’s Phil Salt also made the ICC team, having scored 467 runs in 17 matches. His remarkable performances included an unbeaten 87 against the West Indies in the T20 World Cup and a 103* in a bilateral series, making him a powerful presence and the second-ranked T20I batter in the world.

From the West Indies, Nicholas Pooran joined the team after accumulating 464 runs in 21 matches. His knack for quick scoring in the middle overs and strong finishes was crucial, with a standout performance of 98 off 53 balls against Afghanistan.

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