Pakistan all-rounder Arafat Minhas has been nominated for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for October 2026 following his performances in Pakistan’s ODI tri-series victory against England and Sri Lanka.
The 21-year-old faces competition from South Africa all-rounder Marco Jansen and West Indies captain Shai Hope for the monthly award, which recognises the best performances in international cricket.
Minhas was named Player of the Series after scoring 149 runs in five innings at an average of 29.80 and a strike rate of 119.20. He also claimed nine wickets at an economy rate of 5.13, making him one of the standout performers of the series.
His standout performance came against England, when he scored 59 runs and took six wickets for 40 runs, recording the second-best ODI bowling figures by a Pakistan bowler on home soil. It was a match-winning display that underlined his growing value to the side.
Minhas also played a key role in the final against Sri Lanka in Lahore, scoring 61 off 31 deliveries to help Pakistan chase a target of 326 and secure the title. His aggressive batting at the death turned the chase in Pakistan’s favour.
South Africa’s Marco Jansen earned his nomination after scoring 198 runs and taking 13 wickets in three Tests against Australia, helping his team secure a 2-1 series victory. Jansen scored 85 and claimed six wickets in the second Test at Gqeberha as South Africa registered an innings-and-31-run victory.
He followed that performance with another half-century and three wickets in the third Test, helping South Africa complete a series comeback. His performances also took him to the top of the ICC Men’s Test bowling and all-rounder rankings.
West Indies captain Shai Hope completed the men’s shortlist after scoring three unbeaten centuries against India across ODI and T20I matches. Hope struck an unbeaten 162 in the third ODI in New Chandigarh, helping the West Indies chase 352, their highest successful run chase in ODI cricket.
The winner of the award will be decided by a vote involving fans and a panel of experts. For Minhas, the nomination caps a breakout series and marks him as one of the most exciting young all-rounders in world cricket.
