Known for his exquisite cover drives and flamboyant performances on the pitch, Pakistan star’s batter Babar Azam has added another feather to his cap by being named in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s T20I Team of the Year for 2024.
Scoring 738 runs in 24 matches via six half-centuries coupled with the highest score of 75 and an average of 33.54 runs, Babar is the only Paksitani player included in the side.
The right-handed batter, as per the ICC, started off his year in sizzling fashion by scoring three half-centuries on the trot against New Zealand.
“The 30-year-old’s ability to perform under pressure and his consistency across formats reaffirmed his status as one of the finest players in international cricket,” said the cricketing body.
Meanwhile, the team, captained by India’s Rohit Sharma includes three other Indian players namely all-rounder Hardik Pandya, pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh.
Rohit’s role as captain comes as he scored 378 runs in 11 matches with a highest score of 121. However, his most key accomplishment came in the form of as he led India to their first T20 World Cup title in over a decade.
Furthermore, Australia’s Travis Head is also part of the lineup as he played a pivotal role in Australia’s T20I success, amassing runs at a strike rate near 180. His four half-centuries, including a brilliant 80 against Scotland, highlighted his adaptability and dominance against both pace and spin.
England’s Phil Salt is also part of the ICC team for his 467 runs in 17 matches, including a stunning 87* against the West Indies in the T20 World Cup and 103* in the bilateral series, Salt’s fearless starts made him a formidable force and the number two ranked T20I batter globally.
Nicholas Pooran from West Indies also made it to the team as he accumulated 464 runs in 21 matches. His ability to accelerate in the middle overs and finish strongly was pivotal, with his blistering 98 off 53 against Afghanistan being a highlight.
Sikandar Raza continued as Zimbabwe’s talisman, smashing a record-breaking 133* off 43 balls in a qualifier.
Meanwhile, India’s Pandya reaffirmed his status as the top all-rounder, scoring 352 runs and taking 16 wickets in 17 matches, including a match-winning final over in the T20 World Cup.
Rashid Khan led Afghanistan’s bowling attack with 31 wickets in 14 matches at an average of 9.58, helping Afghanistan reach their first-ever World Cup semifinal.
Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga is understandably also part of the ICC T20I Team of the Year 2024 as he is the third-ranked T20I bowler in the rankings.
ICC Men’s T20I Team of the Year 2024: Rohit Sharma (c), Travis Head, Phil Salt, Babar Azam, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Sikandar Raza, Hardik Pandya, Rashid Khan, Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh.
