ICC reveals Men's Player of the Month nominees for October

Noman Ali (Pakistan)

The 38-year-old stepped up big for Pakistan against England, racking up a combined 20 wickets at 13.85 in the second and third Test to help the home side produce a stellar comeback and take the series.

Noman Ali produced two game-changing spells, ending with match figures of 11/147 and 9/130 as Pakistan overturned their defeat in the first Test to end their three-year drought for a Test series win at home.

With the Pakistan batters setting a 297-run target for England in the second Test, Noman wreaked havoc on the visitors in his side’s defence. The left-arm orthodox bowler helped himself to his best Test figures, claiming 8/46 to guide Pakistan to their first Test win on home soil since 2021.

Noman backed his heroics in the second Test with a brilliant performance in the series' final game in Rawalpindi.

Walking in at nine with the scorecard reading 177/7 in the third Test, Noman came in handy with the bat, playing a resilient 45-run knock to help his side to a crucial 77-run lead in the first innings. Pakistan went on to win the final Test by nine-wickets with the left-arm spinner following up his efforts with the bat, with a game-changing six-wicket haul to bowl out England for just 112.

Kagiso Rabada (South Africa)

The South African pacer reclaimed his place atop the ICC Men’s Test Bowlers rankings following his excellent display with the ball in the two Tests he featured in.

Rabada amassed 14 wickets at an impressive average of 9.00, including two blistering five-wicket haul in the Test series away in Bangladesh.

Rabada opened up his first innings with a skillful three-wicket haul. But he had saved up his best for the second innings, where he dealt six thunderous blows to Bangladesh to leave it to the Proteas' batters to chase down 106 for the win. The pacer ended with match figures of 9/72 in a comfortable win for his side.

The 29-year-old was at his brutal best in the second Test, where he crafted a skillful 5/37 for himself that helped the Proteas opt for a follow-on and claim their biggest-ever win in history by an innings. Rabada earned himself the Player of the Series award after racking up a massive 14 wickets on the tour.

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Mitchell Santner (New Zealand)

Despite playing a single Test over the month for the Kiwis on their tour of India, Mitchell Santner’s contribution to his side’s historic series win was one to remember.

The southpaw dismantled the Indian lineup in both innings of the second Test, earning himself two five-wicket hauls and his best-ever Test figures, all at a note-worthy average of 12.07.

After adding 33 in the first innings with the bat to help New Zealand to 259, Santner ran through the hosts to secure a crucial 103-run lead, claiming 7-53 - his best in an innings.

Defending 359 in the fourth innings, the 32-year-old added another six wickets to his tally. Santner ended the Test with 13/157 and won the Player of the Match award for his efforts.