The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the nominees for the ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year award. Among the nominees are India’s Arshdeep Singh, Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza, Pakistan’s Babar Azam, and Australia’s Travis Head.
This recognition follows a remarkable year of performances by these players, each of whom has made significant contributions to their respective teams. The ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year award celebrates exceptional talent in the shortest format of the game. With Arshdeep’s match-winning spells, Raza’s all-round heroics, Babar’s consistent performances, and Head’s aggressive style, the nominees embody the evolving spirit and global appeal of T20 cricket.
A look at this year’s nominees and their performances:
Arshdeep Singh: India- Matches 18, Wickets 36, Average 13.5, BBI 4/9
Arshdeep Singh has emerged as a crucial asset for India in T20 internationals, 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 perform under pressure has been a game-changer; in 2024, he has taken an impressive 36 wickets in just 18 matches, 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 runs against South Africa, Arshdeep played a key role. His performance included critical wickets of Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock, along with a sensational 19th over in which he conceded just four runs, thereby increasing the required run rate for South Africa. His efforts, combined with those of Bumrah, helped secure India’s second T20 World Cup title.
Sikandar Raza: Zimbabwe- Matches 24, 573 runs, Avr. 28.65, Highest 133* Wickets 24, Avr. 22.25, BBI 5/18
Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza continues to demonstrate his skill, earning a nomination for the third consecutive year. As an all-rounder and captain, Raza has led his team through a transformative phase, delivering standout performances in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup sub-regional Africa Qualifiers. His significant contributions included scoring 199 runs and taking 10 wickets, as well as leading Zimbabwe to victories over top-tier teams such as India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
Babar Azam: Pakistan- Matches 24, 738 runs, Average 33.54, Highest Score 75*
Pakistan’s captain, Babar Azam, has solidified his role as a cornerstone of the team’s batting lineup. With six half-centuries and an improved strike rate of 133.21, Babar has accumulated impressive runs and is now just eight runs away from becoming the highest run-scorer in T20 internationals, trailing Rohit Sharma’s record. His leadership was evident in his match-winning performance, scoring 75 runs off 42 balls against Ireland, showcasing his resilience and skill.
Travis Head: Australia- Matches 15, 539 runs, Average 38.5, Highest Score 80
Australia’s Travis Head displayed his explosive batting ability, accumulating a total of 539 runs at an extraordinary strike rate of 178.47. His impactful performances included a stunning 59 runs off just 23 balls against England, reinforcing his position as a key player in Australia’s T20 World Cup campaign, where he became the third-highest run-scorer.
