Pakistan’s star batter, Babar Azam, has been nominated for the ICC Twenty20 International (T20I) Cricketer of the Year award, recognizing his stellar performance over the past 12 months. The International Cricket Council (ICC) highlighted that no Pakistani batter matched Azam’s T20I run tally during this period.
Joining Azam on the shortlist are Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza, Australia’s Travis Head, and India’s Arshdeep Singh.
Babar played 24 matches, amassing 738 runs at an impressive average of 33.54, with his highest score of 75 coming against Ireland. According to the ICC, Babar’s strike rate saw a notable improvement in 2024, reaching 133.21 runs per 100 deliveries. His six fifties and nearly 100 boundaries underscored his role as Pakistan’s batting linchpin.
The ICC added, “Still only 30, Babar is poised to surpass Rohit Sharma’s record as the highest run-getter in T20I cricket, needing just eight more runs to overtake the Indian’s tally of 4,231 runs.”
The winners of the prestigious ICC awards are expected to be announced in late January 2025.
Saim Ayub Shines in Emerging Cricketer of the Year Nomination
Pakistan’s rising talent, Saim Ayub, has also been nominated for the ICC Emerging Cricketer of the Year award. Other contenders in this category include Sri Lanka’s Kamindu Mendis, West Indies’ Shamar Joseph, and England’s Gus Atkinson.
Ayub delivered exceptional performances in 2024, scoring 515 runs in nine ODIs at an outstanding average of 64.37. “In Ayub, Pakistan found a new flamboyant southpaw at the top of their batting order,” the ICC said.
The young opener dazzled in Pakistan’s away series wins in Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, including two centuries in a 3-0 sweep of South Africa—their first in the country. Ayub also played a key role in Pakistan’s historic ODI series victory in Australia after 22 years.
In addition to his batting, Ayub contributed with the ball, claiming five wickets at an economical rate of 4.63.
Both Babar Azam and Saim Ayub have brought immense pride to Pakistan with their achievements, showcasing the nation’s cricketing talent on the global stage.
