Pakistan’s promising opening batsman Saim Ayub has been nominated for the prestigious ICC Men’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year 2024 award.
Ayub, who has been in exceptional form all year, is one of four contenders for the award, which recognizes the best emerging talent in international cricket.
In 2024, Ayub made a surprising impact on the international stage, impressing across all formats with his aggressive batting style.
In 41 innings, he amassed 1,254 runs, with standout performances including three and a half centuries in just nine One-Day International (ODI) matches.
His remarkable consistency and ability to perform in various conditions have made him one of Pakistan’s most exciting prospects.
The emerging talent was named Player of the Series following Pakistan’s dominant 3-0 win over South Africa, which followed a notable rise up the ICC rankings. He jumped 57 places to secure 23rd position with 603 points.
Ayub’s consistent and impressive performances, including two centuries in the series, have cemented his status as one of cricket’s most promising young players.
Ayub faces stiff competition from three other young cricketers who also had stellar years. England fast bowler Gus Atkinson has been included in the nominations after taking 52 wickets in just 11 matches.
Atkinson’s lethal pace and effectiveness with the ball have made him one of the most promising fast bowling talents in world cricket.
Joining Ayub and Atkinson on the shortlist are West Indies’ Shamar Joseph and Sri Lanka’s Kamindu Mendis. Joseph, a talented fast bowler, claimed 29 wickets in 8 Test matches in 2024, while Mendis, an all-round batsman, scored 1,451 runs in 32 matches.
The nominees were revealed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on December 28, 2024, with the final winners to be announced in January 2025.
In addition to the Emerging Cricketer award, ICC will present awards in 12 categories to honor the best players of 2024.
