Tag: Player of the Month

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday, unveiled the nominees for the Player of the Month Award for April 2024, including star Pakistan pacer Shaheen Afridi.

The ICC Player of the Month award acknowledges the magnificent individual performers on the international stage in April.

Along with Afridi, the nominees for the Men’s Player of the Month also include inspirational Namibia skipper Gerhard Erasmus and United Arab Emirates (UAE) hard-hitting batter Muhammad Waseem.

The Pakistan pace spearhead had a successful month, during which he finished as the leading wicket-taker in the home T20I series against New Zealand with eight wickets.

Afridi picked the only wicket in the rain-affected first match of the series, followed by a brilliant performance in the second match, taking 3-13 to help bundle New Zealand out for just 90.

Meanwhile, in the last match of the series, he claimed 4-30 to finish the series on high, earning the Player of the Series award.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

On the other hand, Erasmus gave exceptional contributions with both bat and ball during the five-match T20I series against Oman.

Erasmus scored 58 off 56 and followed it up with bowling figures of 3-7 in the second match, which they lost by a narrow six-run margin.

However, he saved his best for the defining final match of the series, leading his team to clinch the series. He smashed six sixes during his quickfire innings of 64 runs from 29 balls, followed by two wickets with the bowl.

The third nominee, Waseem earned his nomination on the back of his impressive showing during the ACC Premier Cup, where he scored his third T20I century.

The 30-year-old played innings of 65, 45 and 48 in consecutive matches before he notched a hundred during UAE’s 55-run victory against Oman.

He scored 100 off 56 with the help of six fours and a whopping seven sixes.

READ: Babar Azam responds to criticism over Hasan Ali’s selection

DUBAI: Pakistan all-format captain Babar Azam has been nominated for the ICC Player of the Month award for May 2023.

International Cricket Council on Tuesday revealed the three nominees for the award which include Bangladesh’s Najmul Hossain Shanto, Ireland’s Harry Tector and Pakistan skipper.

Babar Azam’s nomination came on the back of his consistent performances in the home ODI series against New Zealand last month.

“Pakistan’s skipper once again stood up for his country, this time in his team’s home ODI series against New Zealand,” said the ICC media release.

“After taking out the first two of five matches in late April, Pakistan went on to finish with two victories in early May to walk away 4-1 series winners.

It was little surprise that the positive results came through Babar’s achievements with the bat.”

“Babar joined Imam-ul-Haq for a century second-wicket stand on May 3, finishing with 54 off 62 balls, as his side went on to post 287/6. He went on to use six bowlers in his side’s effort in the field, as the tourists were bowled out for 261 in reply.

The skipper stepped up a gear in the next match two days later, claiming Player of the Match honours in his side’s 102-run win to go 4-1 up. Babar compiled 107 (117), his 18th ODI century, helping the hosts to 334/6,” it added.

It is pertinent to mention that Babar Azam is currently the No.1-ranked ODI batter in the world. He was also named the ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year for 2022, besides bagging the prestigious Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for the ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year.

Recently, he also became the fastest batter to complete 5000 ODI runs, breaking the record previously held by South Africa’s Hashim Amla.

READ: West Indies win toss, elect to bat first against UAE in second ODI