The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced four nominees, including an Indian pacer, a Zimbabwean all-rounder and two batsmen from Pakistan and Australia, for the T20I Cricketer of the Year award. No players from England, New Zealand, South Africa, West Indies or Sri Lanka are included in the list.
Senior seamers Jasprit Bumrah and Shaheen Shah Afridi, along with batsmen Rohit Sharma, Glenn Maxwell, Phil Salt and Jos Buttler as well as Hardik Pandya, were not included in the list of nominees for the ICC Men's T20I Cricketer of the Year. Notably, Rohit led India to win the 2024 T20 World Cup by defeating South Africa in the final.
The ICC announced on Sunday, December 29 that Babar Azam, the former top-ranked T20I cricketer, has been nominated for the ICC Men's T20I Cricketer of the Year award for 2024. Other nominees include Indian cricketer Arshdeep Singh, Australian batsman Travis Head, captain Zimbabwean Sikandar Reda.
ICC Men's T20I Cricketer of the Year 2024: Arshdeep Singh played a crucial role in India's win in the T20 World Cup 2024 along with 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-overs matches. Arshdeep has taken 36 wickets in 18 matches, the second most wickets by an Indian in a calendar year, just one behind Bhuvneshwar Kumar's 37, which was achieved in 32 matches.
Left-arm pacer Arshdeep brought much-needed diversity to India's bowling attack. He has performed excellently in various conditions, including key victories against West Indies, Sri Lanka and South Africa. His most memorable performance came in the T20 World Cup final against South Africa.
Defending 177, skipper Aiden Markram was dismissed early and removed Quinton de Kock in the 13th over. He conceded just four runs while bowling the 19th over. His efforts raised the required rate, eventually putting pressure on 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 bowler in T20Is this year
Babar Azam had a mixed year but remains Pakistan's top 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 fifties. The right-handed batsman is just eight runs away from breaking Rohit Sharma's record as highest run-scorer in T20Is.
His best performance came in a playoff 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 to victory in just 17 runs, providing a crucial confidence boost ahead of the World Cup.
ICC Men's T20I Cricketer of the Year 2024: Travis Head, Sikandar Raza among the nominees
Sikandar Raza was nominated for the award for the third year in a row. Reza scored 573 runs in 24 matches at an average of 28.65, with a highest 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 earned a regular place in the T20I line-up after making 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 a best score of 80. The tally for the two-handed batsman It is the second best tally by an Australian batsman in a calendar year.
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