The Apex Cricket Body announced the ODI team of the year 2022 on Tuesday. Only two Indians could find a place in the team of the year but there was no place for big names such as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Among Indian batters, only Shreyas Iyer could make it to the eleven while Mohammed Siraj was the only inclusion when it comes to Indian bowlers. Pakistan captain Babar Azam was named the skipper of the team by Apex Cricket Body.
Babar, who has been in the spotlight over Pakistan’s consistent poor performances at home, finished last year with 679 runs at a stunning average of 84.87. The team further includes players like Australia’s Travis Head, West Indies’ Shai Hope, India’s Shreyas Iyer and New Zealand’s Tom Latham.
Iyer was India’s top-scoring batter in the format last year, who scored 724 runs at an average of 55.69 in 17 games. Zimbabwe’s marquee all-rounder Sikandar Raza who had a remarkable 2022 which fetched him an Indian T20 League contract also found a place in the eleven. Raza aggregated 645 runs at an average of 49.61 and a strike rate of 87.16, including two fifties and three centuries.
Raza also had a great year with the ball, scalping eight wickets economy of around 5 per over. Further in the list came Bangladesh’s Mehidy Hasan Miraz who was one of the most consistent all-rounders in ODI cricket last year. He was the architect of Bangladesh’s second consecutive ODI series win at home against India.
Mehidy Hassan rewarded for his heroics against India
He picked up a total of 24 wickets in 15 games for the Bangla Tigers at an average of 28.20 with a best performance being 4/29. With the bat, Mehidy scored 330 runs at a stunning average of 66, with one century and one fifty.
West Indies’ Alzarri Joseph, India’s Mohammed Siraj, New Zealand’s Trent Boult and Australia’s Adam Zampa completed the list. Siraj played 15 matches and picked up 24 wickets in 2022 at an economy of 4.62.
ODI Team of the Year 2022: Babar Azam, Travis Head, Shai Hope, Shreyas Iyer, Tom Latham, Sikandar Raza, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Alzarri Joseph, Mohammed Siraj, Trent Boult, Adam Zampa
Meanwhile, Twitter was abuzz with reactions on the ODI team of the year. Here are some of the Tweets:
BABAR AZAM has joined the party Johns. https://t.co/Zz3TQ1fMt6 pic.twitter.com/LzFuOrtdR8
— Asad Abdullah (@asad_qureshi257) January 24, 2023
Yeh team to RCB se bhi har jayegi ?
— Virat Kohli Fan Club (@vkfanclub007) January 24, 2023
Where is king chokli ?
— ? (@yousuf8770) January 24, 2023
King and Hitman not played too much ODI past year
So Gobar Azam , Number one'for sure ?— Kailash Vishnoi (@kailashvishnoi_) January 24, 2023
Azam may be a good batsman but not a good captain
— Cricket lover (@Cricket60626252) January 24, 2023
This list shows that this year was certainly the worst year for the Great Names of Cricket.
These are names who have definately performed well last year but not the greatest team.— Arpit Agrawal (@letsdweet) January 24, 2023
Let's be honest Shreyas Iyer is much much better captain than dabur lundazm
— Siddhant 226 (@siddhant_22) January 24, 2023
I am a Pakistani and I agree that ICC made mistake by making Babar captain. Honestly, it's a disrespect to all the great captains out there ?
— Amanicorn (@Amanicorn1) January 24, 2023
Babar captain what a joke. Man who can't even win at home is captain of ICC ODIs team. Shame !
— Tanmoy Roy ? (@iamtanmoyyy) January 24, 2023
Worst team ever? with Gobar Azam as captain who lost home series?.
— Ro45™ (@R45xMi) January 24, 2023
Zimbamber??? pic.twitter.com/HSoeQwurry
— Prabhat Sharma ?? (@Prashaforever) January 24, 2023
With which planet we hv to play against? ??
— NILESH. ? (@nilesh4804) January 24, 2023
Jis team ko captain jhatu ho
Waha Kohli ji nhi rahte?— Ronnie (@kuchmaad) January 24, 2023
