January 01, 2024
Former captain Babar Azam and pacer Shaheen Afridi remained the top-performing cricketers for Pakistan in international cricket in 2023, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said in a statement on Monday.
In a post on X, the PCB said Babar remained the leading run-getter and Afridi the top wicket-taker for Pakistan.
In November last year, Babar stepped down as Pakistan's cricket captain days after a group-stage exit from the World Cup.
After showing dismal performance in the 50-over Asia Cup and World Cup tournaments, Babar failed to perform in Pakistan’s ongoing Test series against Australia.
Babar retained the top spot in the ODI batters’ rankings last month and scored 1,399 runs from 35 matches, which included three centuries and 10 fifties throughout the year.
Following Babar’s resignation, fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi was appointed captain of the Pakistan T20 team. The left-arm pacer took 62 wickets in 30 matches at an average of 27.80 in 2023.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s former captain Bismah Maroof emerged as the leading run-getter for the women's team with an impressive 624 runs from 25 matches in 2023 which included three half-centuries.
Nashra Sundhu remained the top wicket-taker for Pakistan in international matches last year, taking an impressive 30 wickets in 24 matches at an average of 23.13.