Current Asia Test XI

Test cricket is the ultimate form of the game.The skills, grit and temperament required in test cricket are not seen so much in the other forms of the game. Test cricket enfolds its own sets of ebbs and flows, unveiled over the span of five days. But a question that has perturbed the cricket pundits recently is the relevance of test cricket in the modern era. Empty stadiums, low TV viewings are a worrying sign for the apex body of cricket. But there are some great players around the world who can bring back the interest in test cricket by their performances on the field.Let’s look at 11 such great current Asian players who can make it to a best XI of the continent.

#1 Murali Vijay

Murali Vijay is a great opener

Murali Vijay is currently the best opener in Asia. He has done his reputation a world of good with superb performances on the soil of Australia and England. Vijay’s grit and solid technique make for a great opener in all conditions.

He has scored 2420 runs in 31 Tests at an average of 41.72.But since the start of January 2013, he averages 47.65 in 21 Tests and has scored five of his six centuries in this period. An in-form Vijay is an asset for any team he plays.

#2 Shikhar Dhawan

Shikhar Dhawan just makes it as the second opener

There was a fight between four persons for the place of the second opener. The other three contenders were Mohammad Hafeez, Ahmed Shehzad and Tamim Iqbal. While Hafeez and Iqbal are quality players, they couldn’t be selected as their career averages were below 40. Ahmed Shehzad has an average above 40 but he is still an untested commodity.

Shikhar Dhawan has scored 1158 runs in 15 Tests at an average of 44.53.Though he looked a fish out of water on the tours of England and Australia but presently he looks to be the best option for the place of the second opener in our Asian XI.

#3 Younis Khan

Younis Khan is the best Asian batsman at present

It would not be wrong to say that Younis Khan is the best batsman in Asia presently after the retirement of Kumar Sangakkara. A veteran of 101 Tests, he has scored 8814 runs at an exceptional average of 54.07 with 30 centuries to his credit.

His current form is also exceptional as he played a match winning innings against Sri Lanka this year to prove his worth in the game.He should be an ideal number three in every team as he is equally capable in playing pacers as well as spinners.

#4 Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli should lead the Asia XI side

Virat Kohli has been a great performer for India in all the formats.He has played 37 Tests and scored 2794 runs at an average of 45.06. His record speaks volumes about his game and his exceptional performances in Australia prove his worth in away conditions.

Kohli should lead the way with his bat for the middle order in our Asia XI and he should also be the captain of the team. His aggression combined with his skills will make for a great viewing for the fans.

#5 Angelo Mathews

Angelo Mathews is a worthy all-rounder

Angelo Mathews is the first Sri-Lankan in our Asian XI and it would not be wrong to say he is the best Sri Lankan test cricketer presently. In 52 Tests he has scored 3801 runs at an average of 52.06 and he has also picked up 29 wickets.

His current form is also great proven by his twin centuries against India in the home series. He should be an ideal number five in our team with his proven all-round abilities and his captaincy skills will be an added asset for the team.

#6 Shakib Al Hasan

Shakib is the only Bangladeshi cricketer in our Asia XI

Arguably, Shakib Al Hasan is the best all-rounder in the world. The Bangladeshi southpaw can make into any team with his all-round capabilities. In 42 Tests he has scored 2823 runs at an average of 39.76 and has also picked up 147 wickets at an average of 33.31.

He will be a great asset to the team with his batting in the lower middle order and he can also dismantle any opposition with his spin bowling. He is the best Asian player at present to play at the number six spot.

#7 Sarfraz Ahmed

Sarfraz Ahmed is a great attacking batman keeper

Sarfraz Ahmed is a right-handed wicket-keeper batsman who plays for Pakistan. The aggressive wicket-keeper has played some great innings in his short career to prove his worth as a cricketer. His innings in the first test against Sri Lanka earlier this year proved to a match winning one.

In 18 Tests he has scored 1157 runs at an average of 50.30. His average can get him into the team purely as a batsman and thus he should be an ideal number seven in our team of best current Asian test cricketers.

#8 Ravichandran Ashwin

Ashwin is a wonderful all-rounder

Arguably, Ravichandran Ashwin is the best test all-rounder for India in the current scenario. Though he should make the team as a bowler only but his batting will be an added skill in any team. His exceptional performances in Sri-Lanka this year prove his potential as a player.

In 28 Tests he has picked up 145 wickets at an average of 28.44. He has also scored 1103 runs at an average of 32.44. The right handed all-rounder should make for a perfect number eight in our team with the ability to turn the match on its head with his bowling as well as batting.

#9 Wahab Riaz

Wahab Riaz is a fiery fast bowler

Who will forget the spell Wahab Riaz bowled to Shane Watson in the 2015 ODI World Cup? He showed his true colours in that spell which had the venom to even trouble the best in the business.

Though he has played only 12 Tests, he has picked up 35 wickets at an average of 32.05. His raw pace and aggression will make for a great viewing even on the flatest pitch on the planet and a left armer is always a threat for any opposition in the world.

#10 Ishant Sharma

Ishant Sharma should lead the fast bowling department

Though Dhammika Prasad and Junaid Khan were also contenders for this position but Ishant Sharma’s experience has pipped him ahead of others in this race. The tall, lanky seamer should lead the fast bowling department in our Asian XI.

In 65 Tests he has picked up 200 wickets at an average of 36.51. His ability to bowl match winning spells out of nowhere like the spells in Lords and Colombo make him a player to watch out for in the team.

#11 Yasir Shah

Yasir Shah can become a great leg spinner

Yasir Shah has been a revelation in the last year as a spinner in world cricket. His match winning spells in Sri Lanka helped him to carve a niche for himself as a bowler in international cricket and also paved his way into our Asian XI team.

In only ten Tests he has picked up 61 wickets at an average of 24.81. The ability of leg-spinners to pick wickets at crucial times make him an ideal player to assist the likes of Ashwin and Shakib in our team.