ICC Player of the Month (November): Buttler, Rashid get nominated
What's the story
The ICC has announced the nominees for men's and women's Player of the Month for November. Hard-hitter Jos Buttler and spinner Adil Rashid have been named after starring in England's ICC T20 World Cup title-winning campaign. Pakistani seamer Shaheen Afridi is in the fray as well. Among women cricketers, Ireland's Gaby Lewis, Thailand's Natthakan Chantham, and Pakistan's Sidra Ameen have been nominated.
Context
Why does this story matter?
ICC has been awarding the trophy since the start of 2021. The voting panel for the honor features renowned journalists and former cricketers. Public voting also has a 10 % of stake in the outcome. The Player of the Month trophy is handed to the male and female cricketers who did exceedingly well in international cricket across formats in a particular month.
Buttler
Buttler whacked an unbeaten 80 in the semi-final
England skipper Buttler blasted 207 runs in the month of November, including a 49-ball 80* (4s: 9, 6s: 3) in the semi-final against India. He guided England to a 10-wicket win alongside opener Alex Hales. The wicket-keeper batter ended up amassing 225 runs in the tournament Down Under, averaging 45.00. Buttler also smashed a fifty in the group stage against New Zealand.
Rashid
Rashid rises to the occasion
Leg-spinner Rashid struggled to get wickets in the first three matches of the T20 WC. However, he played an invaluable part as the tournament progressed further. He snapped up 1/16 in the must-win game against Sri Lanka, garnering a Player of the Match award. Against India, Rashid claimed economical figures worth 1/20 in the semi-final, followed by 2/22 in the finale versus Pakistan.
Shaheen
Shaheen put up a show Down Under
Shaheen, who returned from a knee injury, wound up as Pakistan's highest-wicket taker in the tournament. The left-arm quick pocketed 11 wickets while averaging an astonishing 14.09 (economy: 6.15). He was noted for figures worth 4/22 in the must-win game against Bangladesh in the Super 12 stage. In the final, Shaheen ran riot, but his late injury proved fatal for the former champions.
Women's cricket
Lewis shone in clinical series win over Pakistan
All-rounder Lewis helped Ireland overcome Pakistan by a 2-1 margin in T20Is last month. She scored 144 runs, comprising a 71 in the decider (50s: 2). Chantham bashed 267 ODI runs while averaging over 66 in Thailand's 4-0 win over Netherlands at home (100s: 1, 50s: 2). For Pakistan, veteran Ameen amassed 277 runs in the Ireland ODIs, including 176* in the opening game.