ICC T20 World Cup: Pakistan's new-found hero Asif Ali voted ICC Player of the Month

Pakistan’s Asif Ali has been voted as the International Cricket Council's (ICC) Player of the Month for October for his two sensational match-winning cameos in crucial moments against New Zealand and Afghanistan, while Ireland’s Laura Delany won in the women's category. 

In the voting process, Asif Ali beat Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan and Namibia's David Wiese to win the men's award, and Delany beat teammate Gaby Lewis and Zimbabwe's Mary-Anne Musonda to clinch the women's award.

Ali scored 52 runs without defeat across three matches for Pakistan in October at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, scoring at a strike rate of 273.68.

He made the headlines at the tournament by hitting 27 not out from 12 balls to help Pakistan defeat New Zealand, but his power-hitting show against Afghanistan made him a super star.

With Pakistan required 24 runs off the final two overs against Afghanistan, Ali hammered four sixes in the 19th.

“Helping your team to win, especially from the jaws of defeat is what makes Asif Ali special. And he did that not just once but twice," ICC Voting Academy member Irfan Pathan said. "Although he scored considerably less than other two nominated players, the contribution he made and the pressure situations from where he snatched the victories made all the difference.”