Pakistan’s right-arm pacer, Haris Rauf, has been shortlisted for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for November 2024, following a series of standout performances that played a key role in Pakistan’s historic success.
Rauf faces strong competition from India’s Jasprit Bumrah and South Africa’s Marco Jansen, both of whom also delivered exceptional displays in their respective matches, leading their teams to historic victories.
Rauf was instrumental in Pakistan’s first-ever ODI series win in Australia in 22 years, finishing as the top wicket-taker of the series with 10 wickets at an impressive economy rate of just five. His match-winning efforts helped Pakistan secure a 2-1 series win. The pacer continued his stellar form in the subsequent T20I series, taking five wickets, including a sensational four-wicket haul in the second T20I. He ended November with three more wickets in as many ODIs against Australia, bringing his tally to 18 wickets across all formats.
South Africa’s Marco Jansen was another standout performer throughout the month. The all-rounder made crucial contributions in both bat and ball during the T20I series against India. He picked up a wicket in each of the first three matches, and his explosive batting, including a quick-fire 54 off 17 balls in the third T20I, made a significant impact. Although South Africa lost the series 3-1, Jansen’s performance in the first Test against Sri Lanka stood out, where he took career-best match figures of 11/86, including a seven-wicket haul in the first innings that helped bowl Sri Lanka out for just 42 — the second-lowest total in Test history in the 21st century.
India’s Jasprit Bumrah, captaining in the absence of Rohit Sharma, reaffirmed his reputation as one of the best pacers in world cricket with a remarkable performance in the opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar series. His stunning eight-wicket haul (5/30 and 3/42) was pivotal in India’s dominant 295-run victory. After India were dismissed for just 150, Bumrah tore through Australia’s top order in the first innings, taking three wickets in the first seven overs and finishing with 5/30. In the fourth innings, defending a massive target of 534, Bumrah added three more wickets to seal the win and earned the Player of the Match award.
An independent ICC Voting Academy and fans worldwide will now have the opportunity to cast their votes to determine the winner, with the results set to be announced next week.
