The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced its nominees for the ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year, with India’s Arshdeep Singh joining Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza, Pakistan’s Babar Azam and Australia’s Travis Head on the prestigious list. The recognition comes after a stellar year of performances by these players, each making significant contributions to their teams.
The ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year award celebrates exceptional talent in the shortest format. With Arshdeep’s match-winning spells, Raza’s all-round heroics, Babar’s consistency, and Head’s aggression, the nominees represent the evolving spirit and global appeal of T20 cricket.
Let’s take a look at this year’s nominees and their performances:
Arshdeep Singh: India’s left-arm sensation
Arshdeep Singh has emerged as a vital asset for India in T20Is, stepping up as the primary pacer in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, who has been selectively fielded for Tests and ODIs. Arshdeep’s ability to deliver under pressure has been a game-changer, with an impressive 36 wickets in just 18 matches in 2024, making him the second-highest wicket-taker for India in a calendar year.
His crowning moment came during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final. While defending a target of 177 against South Africa, Arshdeep played a pivotal role. His spell included key wickets of Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock and a sensational 19th over, conceding just four runs and escalating the required run rate. His efforts, alongside Bumrah, sealed India’s second T20 World Cup title.
Sikandar Raza: Zimbabwe’s pillar of strength
Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza continues to prove his mettle, earning a nomination for the third consecutive year. As an all-rounder and captain, Raza has guided his team through a transformative phase, delivering standout performances in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup sub-regional Africa Qualifiers. His pivotal contribution included 199 runs and 10 wickets, alongside leading Zimbabwe to victories over top-tier teams like India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
Babar Azam: Pakistan’s run machine
Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam maintained his position as a cornerstone of his team’s batting lineup. With six fifties and an improved strike rate of 133.21, Babar tallied impressive runs, nearing the milestone of becoming the highest T20I run-scorer, just eight runs behind Rohit Sharma’s record. His leadership and match-winning 75 off 42 balls against Ireland highlighted his resilience and class.
Travis Head: Australia’s powerhouse opener
Australia’s Travis Head showcased his explosive batting prowess, amassing 539 runs at a strike rate of 178.47. His impactful performances, including a blistering 59 off 23 balls against England, cemented his status as a key player in Australia’s T20 World Cup campaign, where he was the third-highest run-scorer.