8. Yasir Shah (Pakistan) – 43 wickets, Ave: 36.58
There was a stiff competition between Rangana Herath and Yasir Shah for a place in this side but Yasir gets the nod as he has delivered impactful performances outside home against good teams, plus, he is a leg-spinner and that gives variety to our spin attack. Shah played a heroic role in Pakistan’s twin wins in UK.
He claimed a ten-fer at Lords and five-wickets at Oval to help Pakistan draw the series 2-2. Pakistan’s majestic leggie also took 21 wickets against West Indies on some pretty flat decks. But he went wicket less in one Test against New Zealand and was ineffective at Brisbane as well. Still, he had a very good year for a spinner playing outside Asia.
