The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced four nominees for the Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year award, including an Indian, a Zimbabwean all-rounder and two batsmen from Pakistan and Australia. No players from England, New Zealand, South Africa, West Indies and Sri Lanka have made the list.
Notable 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, were not shortlisted for the ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year. It should be noted that Rohit defeated South Africa in the final and led India to victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Former senior T20I batsman Babar Azam has been nominated for the ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year award for 2024, the ICC announced on Sunday, December 29. Other contenders include Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh, Australia’s Travis Head, and Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza.
ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year 2024: Arshdeep Singh along with Jasprit Bumrah played a vital role in India’s T20 World Cup 2024 Victory
Arshdeep Singh is the leading wicket-taker for India in T20Is 2024. He stepped up in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, who played in limited overs. Arshdeep has taken 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 produced stellar performances in a variety of settings, including key wins against the West Indies, Sri Lanka and South Africa. His most memorable performance was in the T20 World Cup final against South Africa.
Defending 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 boosted the momentum required, eventually forcing 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 and six fifties at an average of 33.54 runs and a strike rate of 133.21. The right-handed batsman is just eight runs short of breaking Rohit Sharma’s record as the highest T20I run scorer.
His best performance came in the series decider against Ireland before the T20 World Cup. Chasing 179, Babar hit an unbeaten 75 off 42 balls, six fours and five sixes. His innings helped Pakistan to a 17-run victory and a vital confidence boost ahead of the World Cup.
ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year 2024: Travis Head and Sikandar Raza among the nominees
Sikandar Raza has been nominated for the award for the third year. Raza scored 573 runs at an average of 28.65 in 24 matches and top scored with 133* in the sub-regional Africa Qualifier of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. He also took 24 wickets at an average of 22.25, including a best of 5/18.
A regular in the T20I ranks since his debut in 2016, Travis Head has made a strong impact with 539 runs in 15 matches at an average of 38.5 and an impressive strike rate of 178.47, scoring a career-best 80. The number of left-handed batters in a calendar year is the second best by an Australian batter.
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