Ayub up for ICC Men's Emerging Cricketer award

The opener helped orchestrate one of the most impressive wins for Pakistan in 2024

Pakistan's opening batter, Saim Ayub, has been nominated for the prestigious ICC Men's Emerging Cricketer of the Year 2024 award, marking a significant achievement in his young career.

Ayub, known for his aggressive and dynamic batting style, has been in exceptional form throughout the year, making a strong impression across various formats. He is one of the four contenders shortlisted for the award, which recognizes the top emerging talent in international cricket.

In 2024, Ayub made a stunning impact in the international arena. In just 41 innings, he scored 1,254 runs, including three centuries and one half-century in only nine One-Day International (ODI) matches. His remarkable consistency and ability to perform in different conditions have made him one of the most exciting young prospects for Pakistan. A 109 runs off 119 deliveries - his second-best ODI score - composed of 10 fours and three sixes put Pakistan on the path to a dominant series win.

Ayub faces tough competition from three other cricketers who have also had outstanding years. England's fast bowler Gus Atkinson is one of the nominees, having taken 52 wickets in just 11 matches. Atkinson's fast and effective bowling has made him one of the most promising young talents in world cricket. Also nominated are Shamar Joseph from the West Indies and Kamindu Mendis from Sri Lanka. Joseph, a fast bowler, claimed 29 wickets in eight Test matches in 2024, while Mendis, a batting all-rounder, scored 1,451 runs in 33 matches.

The nominations were announced by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on December 28, 2024. The final winners will be revealed in January 2025, when the ICC will also present awards in 12 other categories to honor the best performances of the year.