ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam has officially received the ICC Men’s T20I Team of the Year 2024 cap, and it turned out to be a “perfect fit.”
At just 31 years old, Babar has added another milestone to his illustrious career, earning recognition from the International Cricket Council (ICC) for his outstanding performances throughout the year.
In a video shared on Instagram, the ICC showcased the moment Babar received the prestigious cap, captioning it: “The ICC T20I Team of the Year 2024 cap fits perfectly on Babar Azam.” The cricketing body highlighted Babar’s stellar start to the year, which included three consecutive half-centuries against New Zealand.
Over the course of 24 matches, Babar amassed an impressive 738 runs, including six half-centuries and a top score of 75, with an average of 33.54. Notably, he is the only Pakistani player to feature in this elite lineup.
“[Babar’s] ability to perform under pressure and his consistency across formats reaffirmed his status as one of the finest players in international cricket,” the ICC said in a statement.
The ICC Men’s T20I Team of the Year 2024 is captained by India’s Rohit Sharma, who scored 378 runs in 11 matches, including a highest score of 121. The team also includes three other Indian players: all-rounder Hardik Pandya and pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh.
Australia’s Travis Head also secured a spot, thanks to his explosive performances, striking at nearly 180. Head contributed four half-centuries, including a remarkable 80 against Scotland, showcasing his dominance against both pace and spin.
England’s Phil Salt earned his place with 467 runs in 17 matches, including an unbeaten 87 against the West Indies in the T20 World Cup and a brilliant 103* in a bilateral series. His fearless starts established him as the world’s second-ranked T20I batter.
West Indies’ Nicholas Pooran joined the lineup with 464 runs in 21 matches, highlighted by his blistering 98 off 53 balls against Afghanistan. His ability to accelerate in the middle overs and finish strongly proved invaluable.
Rounding out the team, Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza delivered a record-breaking 133* off just 43 balls during a qualifier, cementing his place as one of the game’s most dynamic players.
