ISLAMABAD: International Cricket Council (ICC) shortlists young Pakistani batsman Saim Ayub for the ICC Emerging Men’s Cricketer of the Year 2024 award.

Pakistan star-batter Saim Ayub, who helped Green Shirts’ securing historic whitewash in the three-match One-Day International (ODI) series against South Africa, is among four nominees for the ICC Men’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year for 2024.  

The International Cricket Council (ICC), in a statement, said a hugely competitive field in the ICC Emerging Men’s Cricketer of the Year sees four strong contenders vie for the accolade.

England’s Gus Atkinson enjoyed a memorable start to his Test career, and is joined on the shortlist by Pakistan’s multi-format run-scorer Saim Ayub, West Indies pacer Shamar Joseph and record-breaking Sri Lankan batter Kamindu Mendis

According to cricket governing body, Pakistan’s left-handed opener featured in nine ODIs in 2024 and scored 515 runs with an average of 64.37.

In Ayub, the ICC said, Pakistan found a new flamboyant southpaw at the top of their batting order. While Ayub was a consistent feature across all three formats, many of his best performances in 2024 came in ODIs.