By IANS,
Karachi : Former India captain Sourav Ganguly was Friday adjudged the Castrol Asian Cricketer of the Year for his memorable comeback in the national team last year.
After being left out, Sourav made a brilliant comeback during the Test series in South Africa and then capped the year with his maiden double century, 239, against Pakistan at Bangalore in December. For his outstanding performance he was also awarded as the Asian Batsman of the Year in the inaugural Castrol Asian Cricket Awards held here Friday.
India’s Yuvraj Singh was also given a special award for hitting six sixes in an over against England in the Twenty20 World Championships in South Africa last year.
Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan was adjudged the Asian Bowler of the Year for becoming the highest wicket taker in Tests with 735 scalps. Pakistan’s Kamran Akmal won the Castrol Asian Wicket Keeper/Fielder of the Year awards.
The inaugural awards ceremony was hosted by former Pakistani cricketer Rameez Raja and was attended by cricketers from all the participating countries in the ongoing Asia Cup. Wasim Akram, Sanath Jayasurya, Wasim Bari, Asif Iqbal and Zahir Abbas gave the awards away.
Awards’ list:
Asian Test Bastman: Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka)
Asian Test Bowler: Muthiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka)
Asian ODI Bastman: Sachin Tendulkar (India)
Asian ODI Bastman: Farveez Maharoof (Sri Lanka)
Asian T20 Batsman: Gautam Gambhir (India)
Asian T20 Bowler: Umar Gul (Pakistan)
Pakistan Cricketer of the Year: Shoaib Malik
Pakistan Lifetime Achievement Award: Hanif Mohammed
Pakistan Junior Cricketer: Ahmad Shezad.