Saim Ayub is one of the four nominees for the ICC Men’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year 2024. The other nominees are Kamindu Mendis (Sri Lanka), Gus Atkinson (England), and Shamarh Brooks (West Indies). The winner of the award will be announced on January 14, 2025.
The ICC has shortlisted Pakistan’s rising cricket star, Saim Ayub, for the prestigious Men’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year 2024 award. Known for his aggressive batting and consistency, Ayub has become a standout performer for Pakistan across all formats.
The 22-year-old left-handed opener showcased exceptional form throughout 2024. In nine One-Day Internationals (ODIs), he scored 515 runs at an impressive average of 64.37. His performances included three centuries and one half-century. Two of those centuries came in Pakistan’s historic 3-0 whitewash of South Africa. After this series, Ayub was named Player of the Series. Moreover, his contributions also helped Pakistan secure their first ODI series win in Australia in 22 years.
Ayub’s ability to perform under pressure was evident during Pakistan’s ODI series in South Africa. In one match, with Pakistan struggling at 60/4 while chasing 240, Ayub composed a 109-run knockoff of 119 balls. His performance also including 10 fours and three sixes, turned the game around. His all-round abilities were also displayed as he claimed five wickets in 2024 with an economy rate of 4.63.
The ICC acknowledged Ayub’s remarkable rise, stating that Pakistan had found a “flamboyant southpaw” at the top of their batting order. Many have even compared his batting style to that of legendary Pakistani opener Saeed Anwar.
Ayub faces tough competition for the award. England’s Gus Atkinson impressed with 52 wickets in just 11 matches. Meanwhile, West Indies’ Shamar Joseph claimed 29 wickets in eight Test matches. Sri Lanka’s Kamindu Mendis also had a stellar year, scoring 1,451 runs across 32 matches as a batting all-rounder.
The ICC will announce the winners on January 14th, 2025. In addition to the Emerging Cricketer Award, ICC will present accolades across 12 categories to honor the best performers of 2024.
However, cricket fans worldwide have the chance to cast their votes to decide the winners in nine categories, celebrating the best performances of 2024.
