Noman Ali nominated for ICC Player of the Month award

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani spinner Noman Ali, who created magic in the Test series against England, has been nominated for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month Award for October 2024.

The 38-year-old stepped up for Pakistan against England, taking a combined 20 wickets at 13.85 in the second and third Tests to help the home side stage a stunning comeback and clinch the series.

Noman Ali produced two game-changing spells, ending with match figures of 11/147 and 9/130 as Pakistan overturned their defeat in the first Test to win the Test series at home by three runs. Ended the year-long drought.

In the second Test, Pakistan’s batsmen set England a target of 297 runs, Noman wreaked havoc on the visitors in his team’s defence. The orthodox left-arm bowler contributed to his best Test figures, claiming 8/46 to guide Pakistan to their first Test win on home soil since 2021.

Noman followed up his heroics in the second Test with a brilliant performance in the final match of the series in Rawalpindi.

Walking on nine with a scorecard of 177/7 in the third Test, Noman came into action with the bat, playing a resilient innings of 45 runs to help his team to a crucial first innings lead of 77 runs. Pakistan won the final Test by nine wickets after their efforts with the left-arm spinner batted England out for just 112 for six in a game-changing game.

ICC has also nominated South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada and New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner has also been nominated for the award.

Rabada was named after his impressive performance with the ball in the two Tests against Bangladesh while Santner played a key role in New Zealand’s series win against India.