Pakistan skipper Babar Azam has been nominated for the ICC Men’s ODI Player of the Year award, after his impressive performance in the 50-over format.

The world’s number one ranked ODI batter scored 405 runs in
six matches at an average of 67.50 with two centuries.

“Babar Azam might have played only six ODis in 2021, but he
made vital contributions in the two series that they played this year,” the ICC
said in a statement.

“He was the second-highest run-scorer with 228 runs and was
the Player of the Match in both of Pakistan’s wins in the 2-1 series victory
against South Africa. He was the architect of Pakistan’s chase of 274 in the
first ODI with a century and laid the foundation with an 82-ball 94 in the
final ODI where the visitors posted 320 batting first,” the statement
added. 

“He was the lone warrior for Pakistan when they were swept
by England 3-0. He accumulated 177 runs in three games but found no support
none of the other batters managed to score more than 100 in the series,” it
further stated.

The other players in the race for the award include
Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan, South Africa’s Janneman Malan and Ireland’s Paul
Stirling.