Pakistan’s fiery pacer Haris Rauf capped off a stellar November 2024 with the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award, beating India’s Jasprit Bumrah and South Africa’s Marco Jansen to the honor. With an exceptional tally of 18 wickets across formats, Rauf delivered outstanding performances that highlighted his dominance on the international stage.
The 31-year-old spearheaded Pakistan’s historic ODI series victory on Australian soil, their first in 22 years. Across three matches, Rauf claimed 10 wickets, proving instrumental in his team’s success. His defining moment came during the second ODI in Adelaide, where Pakistan trailed 1-0 in the series. Rauf produced a sensational display of pace bowling, securing figures of 5/29. This marked his second five-wicket haul in ODIs, dismantling the Australian batting lineup for a mere 163 runs. Pakistan capitalized on this momentum, securing a comprehensive nine-wicket victory to level the series.
In the decisive third ODI, Rauf struck again, picking up two crucial wickets. His consistent performances throughout the series earned him the Player of the Series title as Pakistan clinched a memorable 2-1 triumph.
Rauf’s exceptional form carried into the T20I series that followed, where he added five more dismissals to his name, including a brilliant four-wicket haul in Sydney, his fourth in T20Is. This spell further cemented his status as a match-winner in the shortest format.
Later in November, Pakistan’s tour of Zimbabwe saw Rauf continuing his fine run. Despite challenging conditions, he bagged three wickets in three ODIs, playing a key role in Pakistan’s comeback from a series deficit to claim another 2-1 victory.
Haris Rauf’s remarkable performances across formats in November not only highlighted his consistency but also underscored his value as a spearhead of Pakistan’s bowling attack. His ability to deliver under pressure and adapt to different formats earned him widespread acclaim and the prestigious ICC award.
The ICC Men’s Player of the Month accolade is a testament to Rauf’s hard work, resilience, and impact on Pakistan cricket, solidifying his position as one of the world’s premier fast bowlers.