The Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Player of the Year in 2021 has been awarded to Shaheen Shah Afridi. Mohammad Rizwan, England captain Joe Root, and New Zealand captain Kane Williamson were also nominated for the prestigious honor.
Shaheen Shah Afridi bowled brilliantly throughout 2021, dismissing some of the best batters in all three forms. In Tests and T20Is, he had a breakout year, displaying his speed and discipline at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.
During Pakistan’s journey to the semi-finals of the competition, he recorded seven wickets in six matches. He dominated the shortest format throughout the calendar year, collecting 23 wickets in 21 matches and drastically strengthening his bowling attack.
Sizzling spells, sheer display of pace and swing and some magical moments ✨
— ICC (@ICC) January 24, 2022
Shaheen Afridi was unstoppable in 2021 💥
More 👉 https://t.co/XsTeXTPTZl pic.twitter.com/oE3y3H2ZXB
After a rough start to the year in Test cricket in New Zealand, Shaheen exploded during the series against South Africa. He maintained his outstanding performance throughout the year’s away visits to Zimbabwe, the West Indies, and Bangladesh. He took 47 wickets at an astounding average of 17.06 in nine matches.
Last year in Dubai for the T20 World Cup, Shaheen’s opening blast against India changed everything as everyone gasped at the enchantment on show.
He’d start by dismissing Rohit Sharma with a late in-dipper, then dismissing KL Rahul after another gem of a delivery broke his stumps. India was unable to recover from this setback, as they were defeated by Pakistan in their first World Cup match. He would take Virat Kohli’s prized scalp later in the innings, in the final overs.
The figures (3/31) do not accurately reflect what Shaheen accomplished in Dubai on that fortune day. The ICC Awards in 2021 will be dominated by Pakistani cricketers. Pakistani cricketers not only won the most ICC awards but were also chosen for the 2021 World Cup squads.
- Shaheen Afridi:
- Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year
- Babar Azam:
- ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year
- Fatima Sana
- ICC Emerging Women’s Cricketer of the YEar 2021
- Mohammad Rizwan:
- ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year
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