"Joke Of The Year": Babar Azam's T20I Cricketer Of The Year Nomination Stuns Fans

Arshdeep Singh who starred in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup triumph joins Zimbabwe's Sikandar Raza, Pakistan's Babar Azam and Australia's Travis Head as nominees for the ICC Men's T20I Cricketer of the Year, according to the ICC. Arshdeep Singh has stepped up as India's primary pacer in the T20I format, especially with Jasprit Bumrah being selectively picked for T20Is due to his commitments in Tests and ODIs. Arshdeep's prowess is evident from his impressive tally of 36 wickets over the years, the second-best by an Indian player in Men's T20Is, just behind Bhuvneshwar Kumar's 37 wickets in 2022.

This has to be joke of the year, Babar Azam is getting nomination over Jasprit Bumrah & Hardik Pandya, what's wrong with u ICC. https://t.co/xPEKybstmm

Remarkably, Arshdeep's numbers came from just 18 games compared to Kumar's 32. In 2022, he was the third-best with 33 scalps. The seamer has filled the much-needed role of a left-arm pacer in the shortest format for Team India, delivering sensational performances across conditions and playing a crucial role in India's victories at home and in the West Indies, Sri Lanka, and South Africa.

Babar Azam? What did he do?

One of Arshdeep's memorable performances came in the Men's T20 World Cup final. While Bumrah is often remembered for his game-turning over, India's triumph would have been impossible without Arshdeep's stellar support.

Sorry but Babar Azam is nominated over Jasprit Bumrah who won the T20 WC with POTT. What a joke. pic.twitter.com/a2CxysIMTK

Defending a target of 177, he partnered with Bumrah to give India a perfect start, removing South African skipper Aiden Markram for just four runs. He later added the wicket of Quinton de Kock in the 13th over to keep India in