RAZA NOW DINING WITH CRICKET GODS
SIKANDAR RAZA now finds his name being mentioned alongside the gods of cricket.
The star Zimbabwe all-rounder will battle Indian superstar, Virat Kohli, for the ICC Player of the Month award for October.
South Africa’s star, David Miller, is also in the running.
Raza has already won the award once this year.
“The line-up for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month features three superstars from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia,” the ICC said in a statement yesterday.
“India’s talisman VIrat Kohli is nominated following his heroics with the bat, most notably in the win against arch-rivals Pakistan.
“South Africa’s David Miller impressed in the lead up to the tournament, and continued his sparkling form in Australia, including during his side’s victory over India to secure his place in the shortlist.
“Sikandar Raza of Zimbabwe completes the line-up and seeks to reclaim the award he won in August thanks to a series of Player of the Match performances in the opening stages of the T20 World Cup.”
ICC Men’s Player of the Month Nominees for October:
VIRAT KOHLI (IND)
Kohli is nominated for the very first time in the ICC Player of the Month awards, and while registering 205 runs across the calendar month, he showed glimpses of his very best form.
He looked at ease in scoring an unbeaten 62 against a dogged Netherlands, however his highlight came in the era-defining innings played in front of a full house in Melbourne as his side claimed a historic victory against rivals Pakistan.
The iconic display saw Kohli rally his side from 31 for four to chase down the 160 target on the final ball, thanks to an unforgettable score of 82 not out from 53 balls.
DAVID MILLER (SA)
Like Kohli, Miller is also named on the men’s shortlist for the very first time, and he started the month in the bilateral series against India, scoring 117 runs across three ODIs and 125 runs in two T20Is, including a brutal knock of 106 not out in 79 balls in Guwahati.
This blistering form was carried into the T20 World Cup where his most significant contribution during the month came in the successful run chase against the same opposition on a challenging Perth track.
His unbeaten 59 was crucial to seeing his side over the line after losing quick wickets early, further outlining his credentials as a big game player for South Africa.
SIKANDAR RAZA (ZIM)
Raza is going through a purple patch for performances in 2022, and finds himself nominated for the second time in three months.
The talented all-rounder claimed the award back in August and was a key player in sealing Zimbabwe’s qualification through to the Super 12 stages of the T20 World Cup.
Scoring 145 runs and taking nine wickets at a formidable average of 14.66 from his six T20Is, he won three Player of the Match awards, including for his contribution in the wins against Ireland (82 not out) and the shock result against Pakistan (3-25).
ICC Women’s Player of the Month Nominees for October:
Nida Dar (PAK), Jemimah Rodrigues (IND), Deepti Sharma (IND) - Sports Reporter/ICC