This year has all started with a bang for Pakistan cricket. The USA's pinnacle cricket stars, spearheaded by sensational pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, have swept the International Cricket Council (ICC) Awards. Pakistani cricketers have gained ICC accolades within the beyond however in no way like this. Shaheen, the younger, tall fast bowler who has emerged as one of every of international cricket's most thrilling players, has become the first Pakistani to win the ICC's most coveted award – Cricketer of the Year. His captain, Babar Azam, has been named ODI Cricketer of the Year. Earlier, Babar's deputy Mohammad Rizwan received the Twenty20 International Cricketer of the Year Award. And it truly is no longer all – in another first, the vastly-gifted Fatima Sana gained the ICC Women's Emerging Cricketer of the Year Award. This is a wonderful success for Pakistan cricket and these laurels must set the tone for Pakistan cricket which faces a number of demanding situations later this yr.
The ICC Awards are fair praise for the accomplishments of the Pakistani trio of Shaheen, Babar, and Rizwan inside the Covid-affected 2021. Pakistan might not have gained any fundamental titles throughout the 12 months but these three honestly dominated almost all teams they faced in all three codecs of the game. Take Shaheen, who has been provided the prestigious Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy, as an instance. Last year, he gathered seventy-eight wickets in 36 worldwide matches at a mean of 22.20. In Tests, he took 47 wickets in just nine fits at an average of 17.06. One of the excessive factors for him came at the T20 World Cup in which he took seven wickets in six suits. Perhaps, it was the manner that he knocked out India's pinnacle order within the tournament that sealed the 12 months' top honor for the fast bowler. In that memorable game, Shaheen took the prized scalps of Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Virat Kohli to assist Pakistan to overcome India for the primary time in a World Cup. Rizwan has been the most prolific batsman in international cricket and hard-earned his award.
The new 12 months couldn't have started on a higher be aware for Pakistan cricket. It is crucial for Pakistan to capitalize on this sort of perfect beginning. The demanding situations it faces are good-sized starting with the approaching Pakistan Super League. The popular T20 league starts underneath Covid hazard. Next could be the home collection in opposition to Australia, with the intention to be journeying Pakistan for the primary in nearly 1 / 4 of a century. Last 12 months, Pakistan cricket suffered essential jolts while New Zealand and England pulled out of their tours no matter receiving stable safety assurances. Pakistan will also be seeking to construct on the successes of its famous person trio and translate them into an identify-prevailing triumph on this year's T20 World Cup in Australia. Things are looking set for Pakistan cricket and it is was hoping that Shaheen, Babar, and Rizwan will no longer just hold with their heroics however can even encourage their teammates to offer their fine and take Pakistan to No 1 function in global cricket.
