LAHORE: Pakistan’s left-arm spinner Noman Ali has been named the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for October following his heroic performance in the recently concluded three-match Test series against England at home.
His exceptional performances throughout the series were enough to edge out New Zealand spinner Mitchell Santner and South Africa pacer Kagiso Rabada to claim the monthly award.
With this win, Noman Ali became the first men’s player from Pakistan to win the award since Babar Azam in August last year.
Noman Ali was the top wicket-taker in the series, which saw Pakistan seal a 2-1 victory.
He delivered two match-winning performances in his two Test appearances in October, ending with impressive match figures of 11/147 and 9/130, helping Pakistan secure their first home Test series win in three years.
His outstanding performance propelled him to a career-high ninth place in the ICC Test Bowling Rankings, with 759 rating points.
In the second Test, with Pakistan setting England a 297-run target, Noman played a pivotal role in the defence. The left-arm orthodox bowler produced a brilliant spell, claiming career-best figures of 8/46, leading Pakistan to their first Test win on home soil since 2021.
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Noman continued his strong form in the third Test in Rawalpindi, where he showcased his all-round abilities. Coming in at No. 9 with the score at 177/7, he scored a vital 45 runs, helping Pakistan establish a crucial 77-run lead in the first innings.
Pakistan went on to win the match by nine wickets, with Noman following up his crucial batting knock with a match-defining six-wicket haul, dismissing England for just 112 in their second innings.
The winners were selected through a global voting process that involved fans and a panel of experts, including ICC Hall of Famers, former international players, and media representatives.
