Pakistan left-handed opener Saim Ayub celebrates after scoring a century in third one-day worldwide (ODI) in Johannesburg, December 28, 2024. — AFP
Pakistan star-batter Saim Ayub, who helped Inexperienced Shirts’ securing historic whitewash within the three-match One-Day Worldwide (ODI) collection in opposition to South Africa, is amongst 4 nominees for the ICC Males’s Rising Cricketer of the 12 months for 2024. Â
The Worldwide Cricket Council (ICC), in an announcement, mentioned a massively aggressive discipline within the ICC Rising Males’s Cricketer of the 12 months sees 4 robust contenders vie for the accolade.
England’s Gus Atkinson loved a memorable begin to his Check profession, and is joined on the shortlist by Pakistan’s multi-format run-scorer Saim Ayub, West Indies pacer Shamar Joseph and record-breaking Sri Lankan batter Kamindu Mendis.
In accordance with cricket governing physique, Pakistan’s left-handed opener featured in 9 ODIs in 2024 and scored 515 runs with a mean of 64.37.
In Ayub, the ICC mentioned, Pakistan discovered a brand new flamboyant southpaw on the high of their batting order. Whereas Ayub was a constant characteristic throughout all three codecs, a lot of his finest performances in 2024 got here in ODIs.
As Pakistan received a number of away collection in Australia, Zimbabwe and South Africa to prime themselves for the ICC Champions Trophy defence, Ayub went large as an opener.
In South Africa, the left-hander sizzled with two tons from the three video games and completed because the Participant of the Collection in a 3-0 clear sweep — South Africa’s first at residence.
Ayub was additionally spectacular in a low-scoring affair in Australia, that noticed Pakistan edge previous the hosts to clinch their first ODI collection triumph Down Beneath in 22 years.
The 22-year-old additionally offered Pakistan a helpful possibility with the ball, claiming 5 wickets and boasting an financial system charge of 4.63.
Memorable efficiency
Having claimed the all-important wicket of South Africa’s Aiden Markram with the ball, Ayub helped orchestrate probably the most spectacular wins for Pakistan within the calendar yr.
Chasing 240 in opposition to a powerful Proteas tempo assault in Paarl, Ayub stood tall with wickets falling at common intervals on the different finish. With Pakistan teetering at 60/4, Ayub mixed alongside Salman Agha (82) for a game-changing stand.
A 109 runs off 119 deliveries — his second-best ODI rating — composed of 10 fours and three sixes put Pakistan on the trail to a dominant collection win.
