Haris Rauf crowned as ICC Player of the Month

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday announced the ICC Players of the Month for November 2024 as Pakistan’s Haris Rauf and England’s Danni Wyatt-Hodge, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Pakistani pacer Haris Rauf wins after his destructive bowling spells in Australia secured Pakistan’s first ODI series victory in the country since 2002, while England’s evergreen Wyatt-Hodge produced trademark fireworks in her side’s convincing short-format victory over South Africa.

Both players win their maiden Player of the Month awards, and were crowned following a vote conducted among global fans registered at icc-cricket.com and a specialist panel comprising ICC Hall of Famers, former international players, and media representatives.

Haris overcame other wicket-taking quicks Jasprit Bumrah and Marco Jansen to land November’s prize and record back-to-back success for Pakistan, after Noman Ali won the award back in October.

Wyatt-Hodge wins from fellow nominees Bangladesh batter Sharmin Akhter and South African all-rounder Nadine de Klerk.

A busy month in short-format cricket saw Haris play six ODIs and three T20Is during the calendar month, with 18 wickets across contests in Australia and Zimbabwe.

Thirteen ODI wickets fell at the hands of the Pakistan pacer at an impressive average of 16.61, and heralded his jump up the ICC Men’s ODI Bowling Rankings to a career-high 13th position.

The rankings surge came following the 31-year-old’s heroics in Pakistan’s landmark series victory over world champions Australia in their own backyard.

With almost a full calendar year since his last ODI outing, Haris returned to the format with familiar speed and aggression, taking three for 67 in the first matchup in Melbourne, before starring in Adelaide with a memorable spell of five for 29, ripping through the middle order to level the series in a Player of the Match display.

The series decider in Perth also witnessed more magic from Haris, where, alongside fellow fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah he took two for 24 to skittle the hosts for a modest 140, and set Pakistan on course for a historic victory down under.

More wickets followed, this time in the subsequent T20I contests, and Haris’ return to form was highlighted by an eye-catching four for 22 in the second match in Sydney.

ICC Men’s Player of the Month, Haris Rauf, said: “It is an incredible honor 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.”

ICC Women’s Player of the Month, Wyatt-Hodge was at her blistering best at the crease in November’s contests, starring atop the order as England swept to victory over South Africa in T20Is.

The England star is another to have hit her career-best position in the ICC Women’s T20I Batting Rankings during November, top-scoring across the three-match series with 142 runs at an average of 71.

A quiet start to the series in East London saw a response from the 33-year-old in the second match, where she blasted a sublime 78 in 45 balls to set up a thumping 36-run victory for the tourists in Benoni.

There was no let up from the England veteran in the final match, as she struck another stylish unbeaten half-century in their nine-wicket win in Centurion.

ICC Women’s Player of the Month, Danni Wyatt-Hodge: “I am delighted and honoured to win this award. I'd like to say a big thank you to all my team-mates and coaches who I work with, and who encourage me every day.

“We had a great T20I series against South Africa where our team performed brilliantly with some great displays across the board.

“On a personal level, it’s been really pleasing to perform consistently and the aim individually and collectively as a team is to continue this as we build-up to the Ashes and another big year of cricket coming up next year.”