Zimbabwe Cricket star Sikandar Raza is in line to win his second ICC Men’s Player of the Month award within three months after earning another nomination for the prestigious gong.
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Shortlists for the ICC Player of the Month awards were announced on Thursday, revealing the best-performing players who have shone on the international stage throughout the month of October.
And Raza, who created history by becoming the first Zimbabwean to win the monthly award after bagging the accolade for the month of August, stands out again on the list of nominations for October.
The Zimbabwean star is joined on the shortlist by former India captain Virat Kohli and South Africa’s David Miller for their exploits in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2022.
Raza is going through a purple patch for performances in 2022 and finds himself nominated for the second time in three months.
The talented allrounder 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).
Indian great Kohli was nominated for the ICC Player of the Month for men for the first time and will be seeking his first ICC monthly award since their inception.
Kholi registered 205 runs across the calendar month, as 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.
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.
Meanwhile, India’s Jemimah Rodrigues and Deepti Sharma have also been nominated for the ICC Player of the Month award for women along with Pakistan’s Nida Dar for their heroics in the Asia Cup.