Dubai
Pakistan spinner Noman Ali and New Zealand all-rounder Melie Kerr have been named the ICC Players of the Month for October in the men’s and women’s categories, respectively.
Noman outshined South African pacer Kagiso Rabada and New Zealand spinner Mitchell Santner to secure the honor, making him the first male cricketer from Pakistan to win since Babar Azam in August last year. Noman’s impressive performance was key to Pakistan’s 2-1 ICC World Test Championship series win over England, where he took 20 wickets at an average of 13.85 in two victorious Test matches. Expressing gratitude, Noman said, ‘I’m thrilled to receive this award and thank my teammates for their support in helping Pakistan achieve this historic series win.’
In the women’s category, Melie Kerr triumphed over South Africa’s captain Laura Wolvaardt and West Indies’ Deandra Dottin. Kerr played a pivotal role in New Zealand’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup victory, earning both Player of the Final and Player of the Tournament honors. She also maintained her stellar form on New Zealand’s tour of India, scoring 160 runs and taking 19 wickets in October. This marks her second Player of the Month award, having first won it in February 2022. ‘It’s an honor to receive this award,’ Kerr shared, dedicating her achievement to her team, coaches, family, and supporters.
