Who will succeed Raza?

THE International Cricket Council have unveiled the shortlist of players who are vying to succeed Sikandar Raza as the ICC Player of the Month.

Raza, the Chevrons star all-rounder, won the award last month.

He became the first Zimbabwean cricketer to receive the prestigious honour.

“The candidates for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month crown all excelled across ODI and T20I cricket during the month,” the ICC said in a statement.

“Australia’s Cameron Green was an instrumental figure in notable victories over New Zealand and India, Axae Patel is nominated following a series of impressive and restrictive bowling displays, while Mohammad Rizwan is nominated for the first time after a glittering run of performances with the bat.

“An independent ICC Voting Academy* and fans around the world can now vote to decide the winners, which will be announced next week.

“Fans registered at icc-cricket.com/awards are invited to cast their votes until Saturday.”

ICC Men’s Player of the Month Nominees for September:

Cameron Green (AUS)

Australian all-rounder Green receives his first nomination for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month Award after producing a string of fine displays during September. After striking an unbeaten 89 to seal a dramatic two-wicket victory over New Zealand in the first of three ODIs, attention then shifted to the T20I series against India, where Green continued his momentum. A thrilling knock of 61 from 30 balls helped his side clinch the opening match, and despite failing to win the series, Green topped the run scoring charts for his team with 118 runs at an average of 39.33.

Axar Patel (IND)

So often a key threat in India’s bowling attack, Patel enjoyed a prolific September to earn his first nomination for Player of the Month. Claiming a total of nine wickets at an average of 11.44 and with a superb economy rate of just 5.72, he most notably excelled in the home series against Australia, where he took three for 17 in Mohali, two for 13 in Nagpur, and three for 33 in Hyderabad to underline his significant credentials as a key asset for India in the shorter format.

Mohammad Rizwan (PAK)

Rizwan lies atop the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings for Batters and his form throughout September helped illustrate why he sits at the summit. The Pakistan ace registered three half-centuries in the latter stages of his side’s Asia Cup campaign which led them to the final, before continuing his rich vein of form in the subsequent T20I series against a visiting England side. – Sports Reporter/ICC