Pakistan's Haris Rauf wins ICC Men’s Player of the Month award

Pakistan men's fast-bowler Haris Rauf won the the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Men’s Player of the Month award for November 2024, the world cricketing body announced on Wednesday.

Rauf overcame challenge from fellow pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Marco Jansen to win the prize and record back-to-back success for Pakistan, after spinner Noman Ali won the award back in October.

Rauf was back to being at his fearsome best while playing six ODIs and three T20Is for Pakistan. He began his trip to Australia with a fiery three-wicket haul in Melbourne, and hit a high note by picking a crucial five-wicket haul to level the series.

The Pakistani pacer fired on all cylinders on the tour of Australia, snapping up 10 wickets across three ODIs to steer his team to a first ODI series win Down Under in 22 years, ICC said in a statement.

Rauf capped off the month of November with an overall tally of 18 wickets, and scooped the monthly award over India’s Jasprit Bumrah and South Africa’s Marco Jansen.

“The 31-year-old’s standout performance came in the second ODI against Australia. As Pakistan trailed 1-0 in the three-match series, Rauf produced a fiery pace-bowling display in Adelaide, claiming figures of 5/29.

“Rauf’s spell, marking his second five-wicket haul for Pakistan, saw the hosts bundled out for a mere 163, as Pakistan bounced back into the series with an emphatic nine-wicket triumph,” the ICC said.

In the decisive third ODI, the right-arm quick fashioned another couple of wickets and was named Player of the Series as Pakistan emerged winners by a 2-1 margin.

In the three T20Is that followed, Rauf seized five more dismissals, including a four-wicket haul in Sydney, his fourth in T20Is.

Later in the month, as Pakistan toured Zimbabwe, Rauf clinched three more wickets from as many ODIs as the visitors came from behind to clinch a 2-1 series win.

In the series decider at Perth, Rauf picked two more scalps to finish the series as the top wicket-taker with 10 scalps at an economy rate of just five, and help Pakistan grab a 2-1 series win.

"It is an incredible honour to be named ICC Player of the Month, and I am truly humbled by this recognition. This achievement is not just mine but a testament to the collective efforts of my teammates and the unwavering support of our passionate fans.”

"Wearing the Pakistan jersey is a privilege, and moments like these motivate me to work even harder and push my limits. I dedicate this award to everyone who has been part of my journey so far, and I look forward to contributing more to the success of Pakistan cricket,” said Rauf in a statement.

Agencies