KARACHI: Pakistan spinner Noman Ali has been awarded the ICC Player of the Month for October 2024, beating South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada and New Zealander Mitchell Santner.

The 37-year-old left-arm spinner was instrumental in Pakistan’s thrilling 2-1 Test series win against England at home.

Noman’s outstanding performance throughout the series saw him take 20 wickets at an impressive average of 13.85, helping Pakistan to their first home Test series win since 2021.

“It is a great honor to be named the ICC Men’s Player of the Month,” Noman said in a statement.

“I am deeply grateful to my teammates who supported me throughout this historic Test series win at home against England. Such victories are always special for the team and the country.”

Noman’s heroics were highlighted by two outstanding Test performances in October.

He finished with match figures of 11/147 and 9/130 as Pakistan bounced back from defeat in the first Test to end their three-year drought for a Test series win at home.

In the second Test, with Pakistan chasing a target of 297, he claimed career-best figures of 8/46, dismantling England’s batting line-up and securing victory for Pakistan.

In the series-deciding third Test at Rawalpindi, Noman made a critical contribution with the bat, scoring a resilient 45 at number nine to give Pakistan a 77-run first-innings lead.

He followed this up with a match-winning six-wicket haul, bowling England out for just 112 to seal the series with a dominant nine-wicket win.

Noman is the first Pakistani cricketer to win the ICC Player of the Month award since Babar Azam in August 2023.