Pakistan’s left-arm spinner Noman Ali has been awarded the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for October 2024, outshining South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada and New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner for the honor. The 37-year-old delivered a series of remarkable performances, playing a pivotal role in Pakistan’s 2-1 Test series victory over England on home soil.
Noman’s impressive feat saw him claim 20 wickets at an average of 13.85, marking Pakistan’s first home Test series win since 2021. Reflecting on the recognition, Noman expressed his gratitude: “It is a great honor to be named the ICC Men’s Player of the Month. 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.”
His standout performances included two significant match efforts. In the second Test, with Pakistan defending a target of 297, Noman dismantled England’s batting order, capturing a career-best 8/46 and ensuring Pakistan’s victory. His efforts continued in the third and deciding Test in Rawalpindi, where he contributed a resilient 45 runs at number nine, establishing a crucial 77-run lead. He later delivered a match-winning six-wicket haul, bowling England out for 112 to clinch the series with a dominant nine-wicket win.
Noman’s performance makes him the first Pakistani male cricketer to earn the ICC Player of the Month award since Babar Azam in August 2023.