Mohammed Shami has been nominated for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month Award for November 2023. Shami finished the recently concluded ICC World Cup as the tournament’s top wicket-taker.
Along with Australia’s batting sensation Travis Head and all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, India’s Mohammed Shami, who finished the recently concluded ICC World Cup as the tournament’s top wicket-taker, has been nominated for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month Award for November 2023. The International Cricket Council (ICC) released a statement saying, “Two ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 champions and an Indian fast-bowling veteran have made the shortlist for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month Award for November 2023.” November saw Shami carry on his incredible World Cup run. At an economy rate of 5.68 and an average of 12.06, he claimed 15 wickets.
He finished with 24 wickets in just seven innings, making him the 2023 Cricket World Cup’s top wicket-taker overall. Among his highlight efforts this month was a stunning 5/18 against Sri Lanka at Wankhede. Already under pressure in a 358-run chase, Shami’s arrival at the end of the first Powerplay spelt the end for Sri Lanka. Throughout his five overs, he dominated their middle and lower order.
A concentrated 2/18 contributed to South Africa’s destruction at Eden Gardens. The quick bowler, however, shone in the semi-final against New Zealand.
Head, the batting sensation from Australia, made his long-awaited comeback to the team at the end of October with a magnificent century against New Zealand. He carried on his strong form until November.
He amassed 220 runs—including a half-century and a century—at an incredible average of 44 in five One-Day Internationals in November. His performances in the semi-final and final of the Cricket World Cup were noteworthy; he was voted Player of the Match and was instrumental in Australia’s sixth title.
In contrast, in his three ODI matches last month, Australia’s top all-around player Maxwell amassed 204 runs at an average of 204 and a strike rate of 152.23. He also claimed two wickets. During the series against India, he scored a remarkable 116 runs with an astounding strike rate of 207.14 in two Twenty20 Internationals.
Maxwell missed Australia’s Cricket World Cup match against England at the beginning of the month due to an accident while playing golf, but he made a spectacular comeback against Afghanistan.
In Men’s One-Day Internationals, his double hundred was the fastest ever recorded and the first by an Australian. Additionally, it was the first chaser to score a double century. For someone rated sixth or lower, this was also their highest score.
In the T20I series that followed, he played against India. Australia won thanks to his century in the third T20I at Guwahati. In just 48 balls, he scored 104* with eight fours and eight sixes. It supported the hunt for India’s 223.
