Babar Azam, Nat Sciver named ICC's ODI Cricketers of the Year

Pakistan's all-format skipper Babar Azam has bagged the ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year Award for a second consecutive time after yet another prolific year with the bat. The no.1 ODI batter in the world amassed 679 runs from nine matches at an incredible average of 84.87 with three centuries to his name.

While Babar Azam's captaincy in the longest format of the game came under scrutiny after a woeful home record in 2022, the batting ace led from the front in the 50-over format. Apart from his prolific run with the bat, which saw him breach the 50-run mark on eight occasions in nine matches, Pakistan lost just one ODI under his tutelage in 2022.

His swashbuckling century against Australia in the second ODI in Lahore in March 2022 was one of the highlights of the year as he guided his side to a memorable victory with his fastest century in the format. He also registered an unbeaten ton in the series finale to clinch the series after losing the first ODI against the visitors. 

Nat Sciver rewarded for an exceptional year for England

Star English all-rounder Natalie Sciver has been named the ICC Women's ODI Cricketer of the Year, following a memorable 2022 for the national team. The 30-year-old amassed 833 runs at an average of 59.5 and a strike rate of 91.43, finishing as the second leading run-scorer in 2022 behind South Africa's Laura Wolvaardt. She also bagged 11 wickets in 17 outings for the English team.

Although the Englishwoman has had a phenomenal career so far, her performance at the 2022 ODI World Cup will live with her for the rest of her life. She was at her mercurial best in the tournament, smashing 436 runs at an incredible average of over 70. She was the third leading run-scorer of the tournament and dragged her side to the final, but in vain, as England ended up on the losing side.

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