Our shining stars Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi among nominees for ICC Men's Player

The world cricket body announced on Friday, batsman-wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan and star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi have been included among four candidates for the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for International Cricket Council's (ICC) Men's Player of the Year.

The other two nominees are England captain Joe Root and New Zealand captain Kane Williamson.

One and only Shaheen Afridi elaborating on the achievements of the players, the ICC noted that Shaheen took 78 wickets in 36 international matches this year at an average of 22.20 runs. He also delivered his career-best figures in an innings this year in August against the West Indies, grabbing six wickets for 51 runs.

The statement said, "The tall Pakistani pacer was on fire throughout 2021, knocking some of the best batters over across all three formats of the game. He especially had a year to remember in Tests and T20Is, reaching his absolute peak during the T20 World Cup in UAE where he impressed one and all with his sheer speed and skills."

"He ruled the shortest format throughout the calendar year, scalping 23 wickets in 21 matches with his death bowling improving by leaps and bounds."