Shaheen Afridi shortlisted for ICC Men’s Player of the Month award along with Gerhard Erasmus and Mohammad Wasim. cricket news

Pakistan left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi, Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus and UAE captain Muhammad Wasim have made the shortlist for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for April 2024. Afridi has earned nominations for his wicket-taking efforts. The T20 series against New Zealand on the team’s home soil was a draw. Erasmus was a key figure for Namibia as they led a remarkable series win in Oman. Wasim is also UAE’s opening batsman, impressing in his side’s ACC Premier Cup victory.

Afridi was the primary catalyst for both of Pakistan’s wins in T20Is against New Zealand. In the second T20I, Afridi attacked the Blackcaps’ batting lineup, taking 3-13 as Pakistan recorded a dominant win.

Then, trailing in the series before the fifth and final encounter, Afridi once again wreaked havoc and took 4-30 to save Pakistan from a series draw. Afridi received the Player of the Series award for taking eight wickets at an average of 10.00 in the series.

Erasmus, on the other hand, was at the forefront of his team’s success in Oman, scoring 145 runs and taking eight wickets as Namibia got a 3–2 series win in Muscat. Erasmus claimed the Player of the Match award on two separate occasions; The first in a tough spell of three wickets for seven runs.

After this, he scored a controlled half-century in the second match and his efforts in the decisive match were successful. With the score at 2-2, the captain smashed an attractive unbeaten 64 off 29 balls before his two wickets and a run out halted Oman’s run chase to wrap up the series with an emphatic win.

Meanwhile, Wasim enjoyed another stellar month at the crease in April when his team won the ACC Premier Cup in Oman. A quickfire score of 65 against Bahrain was followed by scores of 45 and 48 against Oman and Cambodia respectively.

Despite failing against Nepal, the 30-year-old found form at the right time and scored a brilliant century in the final against the hosts. The batsman scored 269 runs at an average of 44.83 during the month and is now bidding to become the first UAE cricketer to win the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award.

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