Best Asian Test XI of the year 2015

The Asian Test XI of the year 2015 features the top performers from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Dinesh Chandimal is the highest run-getter among batsmen from the continent whereas Ravichandran Ashwin is the highest wicket taker this year. This team is just an attempt to compile the best Test XI of players from the sub-continent. The players named in this line-up are chosen according to their specific roles and positions apart from their performances in 2015. 1. Mohammad Hafeez (Pakistan): Mohammad Hafeez. (Photo Source: Getty Images) Pakistani opener Hafeez has been outstanding this year. The 35-year-old always had the skills, but he could only cement his place in the Pakistan squad few years ago. ‘Professor’ as he is known famously by the teammates, got to play only seven Tests this year and scored 710 runs at an impressive average of 59.16. The in-form opener had an amazing start the year, hitting a double century against Bangladesh at Khulna. It was then followed by two half-centuries and a century against England in November. 2. Murali Vijay (India): Murali Vijay of India. (Photo by Ryan Pierse – CA/Cricket Australia/Getty Images) Murali Vijay has been very decent this year. Vijay had a very impressive Australia tour where he scored four half-centuries and a century. He continued his performance against Bangladesh in Bangladesh with a knock of 150. Though Monk played just one match in Sri Lanka, he scored a duck and 82 in the two inning there. Then came the home series versus Proteas where he made up for the lack of performance by his opening partner Shikhar Dhawan. With Mohammad Hafeez, Vijay will form a steady opening pair for this Test XI. Also check: 8 Times in Tests when both openers got run-out in the same innings 3. Misbah-ul-Haq (Captain): Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq. (Photo Source: Getty Images) Misbah-ul-Haq maintains a clean sheet this year as the leader of the Pakistan Test side, having won all three series the team played. Pakistan first beat Bangladesh 1-0 victory and then they overcame Sri Lanka 2-0 in Sri Lanka. Misbah finished the successful year with a 2-0 victory over England in UAE. With the willow, Misbah averages around 47 this year with over 600 runs including one century and six half-centuries. With his captaincy skills and decent batting performances this year Misbah is the most appropriate name to lead this team. 4. Younis Khan (Pakistan): Younis Khan. (© Getty Images) Younis Khan and his batting prowess like wine, is getting better with age. The veteran of 104 Tests had a fantastic 2015, scoring 789 runs at an average of 60.69. Overall, Younis has 3 centuries and 1 half-century. He has performed really well in all the three series Pakistan played, scoring a century against each of the opponent. Younis Khan along with Misbah have been the backbone of the Pakistan team and would certainly play the same role in the coming time as well. Team Wise leading run scorers in Test Cricket 5. Dinesh Chandimal (Sri Lanka): Dinesh Chandimal. (Photo Source: AFP) Dinesh Chandimal was the best batsman for the Lankans in 2015 along with being an able guard behind the wickets. Though Sri Lanka had a forgetful 2015, the losing home series against Pakistan and India; with 901 runs from 11 Tests at an average of 47.42 Chandimal was on most occasions the lone warrior for Sri Lanka with the bat. His career best 162* against India was also one of the best knocks of the year. 6. Sarfraz Ahmed (Pakistan) (wk): Pakistan cricketer Sarfraz Ahmed plays a shot. AFP PHOTO/Munir uz ZAMAN (Photo credit MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images) Sarfaraz Ahmed is easily the best Asian wicketkeeper this year. He has a stupendous record both behind the stumps and at the crease with the bat in his hand. He has accounted to 33 dismissals- 23 catches and 10 stumpings in 14 innings. With the bat, Sarfraz scored 464 runs in 13 innings at an average of 51.55 with the help of 3 half-centuries and remained not out on four occasions. 7. Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh): Bangladesh cricketer Shakib Al Hasan plays a shot. AFP PHOTO/Munir uz ZAMAN (Photo credit MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images) Shakib Al Hasan fills the all-rounder’s slot. Shakib played at home mostly this year and was more effective as a batsman than as a bowler, scoring 294 runs and averaging 58.80. With the ball, he could only manage 7 wickets including a four-wicket haul against India. But, overall, Shakib had decent year considering the fact that he played only five Tests this year. 8. Ravichandran Ashwin (India): Ravichandran Ashwin. (Photo Source: BCCI) Ravichandran Ashwin has been in stupendous form this year. The off-spinner was almost unplayable at times and guaranteed a wicket every time he began new spell. Ashwin, with 62 wickets, leads the wicket-takers chart this year in Tests and is well ahead of the second-placed Josh Hazlewood. Ashwin (17.20) also has the best bowling average this year after his teammates Ravindra Jadeja (10.82) and Amit Mishra (15.2). In all, he took 7 five-wicket haul and two ten-wicket hauls in 2015. Vote here: Poll: Ravichandran Ashwin v Yasir Shah who is the biggest match-winner? 9. Dhammika Prasad (Sri Lanka): Sri Lankan cricketer Dhammika Prasad. AFP PHOTO/ Ishara S. KODIKARA (Photo credit Ishara S.KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images) Dhammika Prasad is Sri Lanka’s leading wicket-taker this year. The stocky right-arm fast bowler has picked up 41 wickets in 18 innings. He made his debut way back in 2008, but could only secure a permanent spot in 2014. He lost out most part of his career due to injuries, but the 32-year-old has not looked back since his comeback and is now the spearhead of Sri Lankan bowling. 10. Yasir Shah (Pakistan): Pakistan’s Yasir Shah delivers a ball. AFP PHOTO / MARWAN NAAMANI (Photo credit MARWAN NAAMANI/AFP/Getty Images) Yasir is currently the best leg-spinner in the world. He rose very quickly in a short number of Tests. Yasir Shah along with Ravichandran Ashwin will form a very tough to counter spin bowling pair. Just like, Ashwin, Shah had a marvelous 2015. He is just into his second year in international cricket and continued from where he left in 2014. Shah could play seven Tests and missed the fifty wickets mark by just one. His best bowling performance came against Sri Lanka where he picked up astonishing figures of 7/76 at Galle in the first Test which Pakistan won by easily 10 wickets. 11. Dushmantha Chameera (Sri Lanka): Dushmantha Chameera of Sri Lanka. (Photo Source: MARTY MELVILLE/AFP/Getty Images) Dushmantha Chameera has been a revelation for Sri Lanka this year. The tall and slim youngster can make batsmen jump off their feet with his aggressive fast bowling. He can consistently clock it in the mid-140’s. Chameera bagged his Test cap in June against Pakistan. His best performance of the year should be his five-wicket haul against New Zealand. Chameera took figures of 5/47 and 4/45 in the match and became a cause of concern for the Kiwis. Also check: Non Asian Test XI of the Year 2015

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Best Asian Test XI of the year 2015

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