Unlikely Nomination Sparks Debate: Babar Azam Up for ICC Men's T20I Cricketer of the Year Award
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has surprised many by including Pakistani skipper Babar Azam in the nomination list for the ICC Men's T20I Cricketer of the Year award, alongside Arshdeep Singh, Sikandar Raza, and Travis Head. This move has sparked debate among cricket fans and experts, given Babar's underwhelming performance in the 2024 T20 World Cup, in which he scored just 122 runs.
Despite his impressive overall statistics, Babar's campaign in the T20 World Cup was unexpected, raising eyebrows among cricket enthusiasts. However, his impressive records in T20I cricket, including 738 runs, an average of 33.54, and six half-centuries, have caught the attention of the ICC. Babar's notable performance in the series against Ireland before the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024, where he scored 75 runs from 42 balls at a strike rate of 178.57, has also been noteworthy.
Meanwhile, Arshdeep Singh and Sikandar Raza have also been nominated for their outstanding performances in the year. Arshdeep picked up 36 wickets in 18 T20I matches at an average of 13.5, while Sikandar scored 573 runs and took 24 wickets, with his highest score being 133 not out. Travis Head, the Australian batter, has also been nominated for scoring 539 runs in 15 matches at an average of 38.5, with a strike rate of 178.47.
The ICC Men's T20I Cricketer of the Year award is part of the annual ICC Awards, and the nominees will compete for the top honors. Despite the surprise inclusion of Babar Azam, the other nominees have also made a strong case for the award, showcasing their exceptional skills and dedication to the game.
The ICC Men's T20I Cricketer of the Year award will be announced shortly, and cricket fans around the world are eagerly waiting to see who will be crowned the best T20I cricketer of the year. Will Babar Azam's nomination spark a winning spree, or will one of the other nominees take home the award? The fate of the coveted prize will be revealed in the coming days, sparking much excitement and debate among cricket enthusiasts.