The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis as the Best Test Cricketer of 2024, bypassing Pakistan’s rising star, Saim Ayub, in the process. The announcement, made on Sunday, has sparked mixed reactions from cricket fans worldwide, especially in Pakistan, where many expressed disappointment over Ayub’s exclusion.
Kusal Mendis: A Stellar Year in Test Cricket
The ICC lauded Kusal Mendis for his exceptional performances in the red-ball format throughout the year. The 26-year-old Sri Lankan middle-order batsman scored a remarkable 1,451 runs in 2024 at an average of 50, showcasing consistency and match-winning abilities.
Key Achievements by Mendis:
Played a pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s ICC World Test Championship Final campaign.
Scored five centuries and three half-centuries against top teams like New Zealand, Bangladesh, and England.
Became one of only six players to score 1,000 Test runs in a calendar year.
Equaled Sir Donald Bradman’s record by becoming the joint third-fastest player to reach 1,000 Test runs, achieving the milestone in just 13 innings.
His contributions were instrumental in Sri Lanka’s victories and helped solidify his position as one of the premier batsmen in modern cricket.
Emerging Cricketer of the Year Award
In addition to being named the Best Test Cricketer, Mendis was also nominated for the ICC Men’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year Award, further emphasizing his impact in 2024.
Saim Ayub and Other Nominees
The ICC had shortlisted four players for the Best Test Cricketer award, including:
Saim Ayub (Pakistan)
Kusal Mendis (Sri Lanka)
Shamarh Joseph (West Indies)
Gus Atkinson (England)
Despite his impressive performances in 2024, Saim Ayub was ultimately overlooked for the award. Ayub has been a key player for Pakistan, delivering notable performances in several matches. His exclusion sparked criticism from fans, many of whom took to social media to express their disappointment with the ICC’s decision.
Fans React to Ayub’s Exclusion
Cricket fans, particularly from Pakistan, were vocal about their frustration with the ICC for not recognizing Saim Ayub’s achievements. Many believed his performances merited the title, and the decision left a section of the cricketing community disheartened.
Conclusion
While Kusal Mendis’s remarkable achievements in Test cricket earned him the prestigious title of 2024’s Best Test Cricketer, the decision to exclude Saim Ayub has fueled debates among fans. As Mendis continues to solidify his reputation as a modern-day cricketing great, Ayub’s supporters will hope to see him receive similar recognition in the future.
The announcement serves as a reminder of the intense competition in international cricket, where every performance counts in the race for accolades.
