Pakistan bowler Noman Ali has edged over a strong field to clinch the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for October 2024.
Noman played a significant role in guiding Pakistan to a dramatic 2-1 ICC World Test Championship series success over England during October, with the left-armer taking up a total of 20 wickets at an average of 13.85 throughout two Test match victories.
His heroics across the series were enough to edge South Africa pacer Kagiso Rabada and New Zealand spinner Mitchell Santner to collect the monthly award, and become the first men’s winner from Pakistan since Babar Azam was recognized in August last year.
Noman expressed thanks to his teammates, who helped Pakistan fight back from an early deficit to clinch the series against England.
“I am delighted to be named the ICC Men’s Player of the Month and deeply grateful to all my teammates who helped me put my best performances forward to help Pakistan win a historic home Test series against England,” he added.
“It is always exciting to be a part of such momentous wins for your country.”
Noman Ali’s Contribution – ICC Men’s Player of the Month
Noman had two game-changing stints across his two Test appearances in October, ending with match stats of 11/147 and 9/130 as Pakistan overturned their deficit in the first Test to break their three-year drought for a Test series win at home.
With the Pakistan batters setting a 297-run target for England in the second Test, Noman created havoc on the visitors in his side’s defence.
The left-arm orthodox bowler helped himself to his best Test figures, taking 8/46 to aid Pakistan to their first Test win on home soil since 2021.
Noman backed his heroics in the second Test with a great performance in the series’ last game in Rawalpindi.
Walking in at No.9 with the scorecard reading 177/7 in the third Test, Noman came up trumps with the bat, playing a resilient 45-run performance to lift his side to a crucial 77-run lead in the first innings. Pakistan went on to win the last Test by nine-wickets with the seasoned spinner following up his exploits with the bat, with a game-changing six-wicket haul to bowl out England for just 112.
Source: ICC Men’s Player of the month
