Noman Ali bags ICC Men's Player of the Month award for October

KARACHI: Pakistan spinner Noman Ali has been awarded the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for October 2024, beating South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada and New Zealand spinner Mitchell Santner for the honour.

The 37-year-old left-arm spinner was instrumental in Pakistan’s thrilling 2-1 Test series victory over England on home turf.

Noman’s remarkable performance across the series earned him 20 wickets at an impressive average of 13.85, helping Pakistan clinch their first home Test series win since 2021.

“It is a great honour to be named the ICC Men’s Player of the Month,” Noman said in a statement.

“I am deeply grateful to my teammates who supported me throughout this historic home Test series victory against England. Such wins are always special for the team and the country.”

Noman’s heroics were highlighted by two remarkable Test performances in October.

He ended up with match figures of 11/147 and 9/130 as Pakistan bounced back from defeat in the first Test to end their three-year drought for a Test series win at home.

In the second Test, with Pakistan defending a target of 297, he claimed his career-best figures of 8/46, dismantling England’s batting lineup and securing Pakistan’s victory.

In the series-deciding third Test in Rawalpindi, Noman made a critical contribution with the bat, scoring a resilient 45 runs at number nine to give Pakistan a 77-run first-innings lead.

He followed this with a match-winning six-wicket haul, bowling England out for just 112 to seal the series with a dominant nine-wicket win.

Noman is the first Pakistani male cricketer to win the ICC Player of the Month award since Babar Azam in August 2023.