The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced four nominees, including an Indian pacer, an all-rounder from Zimbabwe and two batsmen from Pakistan and Australia, for the Men's T20I Cricketer of the Year award. No players from England, New Zealand, South Africa, West Indies or Sri Lanka appeared on the list.
Prominent seamers Jasprit Bumrah and Shaheen Shah Afridi, along with batsmen Rohit Sharma, Glenn Maxwell, Phil Salt and Jos Buttler, as well as all-rounder Hardik Pandya, did not make the shortlist for the ICC Men's T20I Cricketer of the Year. Notably, Rohit led India to victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup, defeating South Africa in the final.
The ICC announced on Sunday, December 29 that former top-ranked T20I batsman Babar Azam has been nominated for the ICC Men's T20I Cricketer of the Year Award for 2024. Other nominees include India pacer Arshdeep Singh, Australian Travis Head, and captain Zimbabwe Sikandar Raza.
ICC Men's T20I Cricketer of the Year 2024: Arshdeep Singh was instrumental in India's T20 World Cup 2024 win alongside Jasprit Bumrah
Arshdeep Singh is the leading wicket-taker for India in T20Is in 2024. He has stepped up in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, who has played limited matches. Arshdeep took 36 wickets in 18 matches, the second most by an Indian in a calendar year, just one behind Bhuvneshwar Kumar's 37 in 32 matches.
Arshdeep's left-arm pace brought much-needed variety to India's bowling attack. He has delivered stellar performances in various conditions, including key wins against the West Indies, Sri Lanka and South Africa. His most memorable performance came in the T20 World Cup final against South Africa.
Making 177, he dismissed skipper Aiden Markram early and dismissed Quinton de Kock in the 13th over. He conceded just four runs while bowling the 19th over. His efforts raised the required rate, eventually pressuring David Miller to lose his wicket and helping India secure their second T20 World Cup.
ICC Men's T20I Cricketer of the Year 2024: Babar Azam remains Pakistan's leading run-getter in T20Is this year
Babar Azam had a mixed year but remained Pakistan's leading T20I run-scorer in 2024. Babar amassed 738 runs in 24 matches at an average of 33.54 and a strike rate of 133.21, with six fifty. The right-handed batsman is just eight runs away from breaking Rohit Sharma's record as the highest T20I run scorer.
His best performance came in a crucial match against Ireland before the T20 World Cup. Chasing 179, Babar scored an unbeaten 75 off 42 balls, hitting six fours and five sixes. His innings helped Pakistan secure victory in just 17 overs, providing a crucial confidence boost ahead of the World Cup.
ICC Men's T20I Cricketer of the Year 2024: Travis Head and Sikandar Raza among nominees
Sikandar Raza was nominated for the award for the third consecutive year. Raza scored 573 runs in 24 matches at an average of 28.65 with a top score of 133* in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa sub-regional qualifier. He also took 24 wickets at an average of 22.25, including a best of 5/18.
Travis Head, who won a regular place in the T20I line-up after his debut in 2016, made a strong impact with 539 runs in 15 matches at an average of 38.5 and an impressive strike rate of 178.47, with the best score of 80. Left – The batsman's number is the second best by an Australian batsman in a calendar year.
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