[PICTURE] Who emerged as Pakistan’s best Test batter in 2025?

[BouncerGuy]

Pakistan’s Test batting in 2025 has thrown up some interesting numbers. Shan Masood has been the most prolific, scoring 397 runs in 10 innings with a brilliant 145 to his name. Mohammad Rizwan isn’t far behind with 360 runs, showing consistency across the series. Babar Azam chipped in with 315 runs, while Agha Salman and Saud Shakeel both crossed 250, each playing important knocks.

Imam‑ul‑Haq impressed in limited chances, scoring 119 with a top score of 93. Beyond them, Abdullah Shafique, Kamran Ghulam, and Sajid Khan had quieter outings.

Looking at the stats, Masood stands out as the only centurion, but Rizwan and Babar’s steady contributions kept Pakistan’s batting afloat.
Strike rates, consistency, and match impact—there’s plenty to unpack, but does consistency or impact define the year’s best performer? Let’s break it down.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Unbelievable, so only Shan managed to score century for Pakistan in 2025 in red ball format?

 

[jnaveen1980]

Hands down Babar Azam. Made tough runs. Hit most fours.. Most 50s.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

I don't mean to disparage Shan Masood, I like him as a person, and he has improved tremendously with the bat. He played one of the best overseas knocks I’ve seen by a Pakistan batter in recent years in South Africa. But when a 36-year-old with a Test average of 30 is your best red-ball batsman, you have to realize that something is deeply wrong with your Test cricket.

On top of that, he is the only batsman to even score a century all year. That's an embarrassing indictment of Pakistan's batting line-up.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

I don't mean to disparage Shan Masood, I like him as a person, and he has improved tremendously with the bat. He played one of the best overseas knocks I’ve seen by a Pakistan batter in recent years in South Africa. But when a 36-year-old with a Test average of 30 is your best red-ball batsman, you have to realize that something is deeply wrong with your Test cricket.

On top of that, he is the only batsman to even score a century all year. That's an embarrassing indictment of Pakistan's batting line-up.

Can’t really judge them after playing only 5 test matches imo

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Can’t really judge them after playing only 5 test matches imo

I agree with your general point. It's a bit unfair to them how few Test matches they play in a year compared to other teams, but still you have to hold them accountable for some of their performances

 

[GOSH11]

I was meabt to type with my any other player:

No one.

Those stats range from borderline average to downright terrible. It is a tie, they all lose.

 

[Usman Chadda]

I agree with your general point. It's a bit unfair to them how few Test matches they play in a year compared to other teams, but still you have to hold them accountable for some of their performances

Our batting is down in the dumps in all formats.

We are nowhere near the top teams in terms of skill and general game awareness. The bowling has kept us competitive, and it still gets flayed by critics if they have off days.

I’m sure our batters would be at the bottom level of every metric in every format, things are that bad.

 

[sweep_shot]

Shan Masood I guess (based on stats).

 

[BouncerGuy]

Shan scored runs but look at who is number 2 and 3.... No bhnagra this time that they did this, they did thay?? It is Riababar after all.... Come on usual posters... Come on

 

[Obaidd]

I thought Agha had a good year but stats look poor. Solitary fifty in 10 innings.

Shani was the most consistent and the best of this lot.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Shan takes the number 1 spot overall here... He scored more runs and was the only centurion in the side in 2025.

 

[Obaidd]

Fair to say that Saud Shakeel had a poor year in tests. We really are counting on him a lot so this is worrying.

As you can see after Shan, the next 4 are Riz, Agha, Babar and Saud. All 4 had a poor 2025 but SS’s differential from his career average was the highest. Whatever is up with SS needs to be sorted.

Going by these numbers btw, and only Shan out of these had anything going in QEA as well, maybe inducting some new guys (QEA lefties) in test squad is what’s required.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Shan scored runs but look at who is number 2 and 3.... No bhnagra this time that they did this, they did thay?? It is Riababar after all.... Come on usual posters... Come on

Babar had an average of 31.5 for the year. I don't think that's anything to be proud of

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Fair to say that Saud Shakeel had a poor year in tests. We really are counting on him a lot so this is worrying.

As you can see after Shan, the next 4 are Riz, Agha, Babar and Saud. All 4 had a poor 2025 but SS’s differential from his career average was the highest. Whatever is up with SS needs to be sorted.

Going by these numbers btw, and only Shan out of these had anything going in QEA as well, maybe inducting some new guys (QEA lefties) in test squad is what’s required.

Saud Shakeel had a poor year and that needs to be acknowledged. But he still averages nearly 50 in Test cricket and needs to be backed because of the promise he has shown with his past performances

 

[Obaidd]

Saud Shakeel had a poor year and that needs to be acknowledged. But he still averages nearly 50 in Test cricket and needs to be backed because of the promise he has shown with his past performances

For sure, I back Saud.

Our batting unit had a poor 2025. I am saying it needs be reinforced in some way.

 

[Obaidd]

Hoping to see someone from Saad Baig, Azan or Shamyl make the test sqaud soon. Time to make place for them.

A Shafique and Babar at least need to be worried about their positions.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

Saud Shakeel had a poor year and that needs to be acknowledged. But he still averages nearly 50 in Test cricket and needs to be backed because of the promise he has shown with his past performances

Saud is pretty weak against pace. Outside of Asia, he'll be thoroughly tested like he was in SA. But he did play a good knock there. So there's hope that he'll improve.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

Hoping to see someone from Saad Baig, Azan or Shamyl make the test sqaud soon. Time to make place for them.

A Shafique and Babar at least need to be worried about their positions.

Abdullah Shafique is unselectable atm. Huraira looks half baked in internationals. Shamyl looks like a good prospect.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Everyone was not that good but yeah, Shan takes the lead because he scored more runs, better average, only centurion.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Salman won the voting, though Shan was the top scorer at almost 40 avg...

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Crazy that no batter crossed 40 average in the year. This is probably the weakest batting era of Pakistan cricket.

 

[hassan918]

Salman won the voting, though Shan was the top scorer at almost 40 avg...

Not sure, how Salman got more votes than Shan. This is clearly not based on the performances and stats.