The International Cricket Council, after announcing nominees for the Men’s T20I Player of the Year 2021, also revealed the list of nominees for the Men’s Player of the Year ODIs. A format that was played very rarely this year.
The list of four was shared by names, that do not find their mention on the lips of all cricket followers. The great all-rounder from Bangladesh Shakib Al Hasan shared the space with Pakistan skipper Babar Azam, Ireland’s hard-hitting batter Paul Stirling and a new batting sensation from South Africa Janneman Malan.
Shakib was at the top of his form returning from his one year ban after the 2019 ODI World Cup. The left-hander started the year by grabbing the Player of the Series award against West Indies.
In total, he scored 277 runs at an average of 39.57 with two fifties and also took 17 wickets at an average of 17.52 in only nine games. He won yet another Player of the Series against Zimbabwe.
On the other hand, Pakistan skipper, also the number one ODI batter in the ICC rankings, Babar Azam presents a stiff challenge to Shakib. Even after having played just six games this year, the right-handed batter managed to score 405 at an average of 67.50 and also hit two centuries to go with it.
His best showing was the knock of 158 against England when his team scored 331 but still lost the game. 158 is Babar’s highest score in ODIs.
Challenging the two established names is South Africa’s up and coming batter Janneman Malan. The 25-year-old who announced his arrival on the big stage against Australia in 2020 in the three-match T20I series, was finally given a chance to show his skills in the longer format.
He grabbed the opportunities with both hands and scored the second highest runs among all players in ODIs this year, amassing 509 runs in eight matches at an average of 84.83 with two centuries and two half-centuries.
His two centuries, first a sensational knock of 177 against Ireland and then a 135-ball 121 against Sri Lanka came in tough situations. Against Ireland, it was a matter of series on the line while against Sri Lanka, the Proteas batter showed how with willpower and strength one can catch the game at any stage.
Although last in the list in terms of names, Ireland’s Paul Stirling’s candidature for the annual award is not one bit less serious than the other three. The 31-year-old who started the year 2021 with a swashbuckling century against UAE, hit two more, both coming against Afghanistan before hitting two half-centuries, one each against Zimbabwe and Netherlands to become the highest run-getter in ODIs this year.
The Dublin born has amassed 705 runs in 14 matches at an average of 79.66.