Oman captain Zeeshan Maqsood named ICC Men's Associate Cricketer of the Year

Oman captain Zeeshan Maqsood has been named the ICC Associate Cricketer of the Year, following a memorable run in 2021. Scotland's Kyle Coetzer had won the award in 2019 and 2020, but was unable to make it three in a row. 

Among the women, Austria's Andrea-Mar Zepeda takes home the award. She was the leading run-scorer in Women's T20Is in 2021, scoring an impressive 361 runs 51.57, which included a century and two fifties. Her century - 101 off 63 - came against Belgium in a match that helped her side to 197 for 2. 

Speaking of the honour, Zepeda said, “It is a great honour and a pleasant surprise for me to receive the ICC Women’s Associate Cricketer of the Year award. Thank you, ICC, for this. I would also like to thank my teammates, my coaches, the Austrian Cricket Association, my home club Austrian Cricket Club Vienna, to my family and friends for always supporting me and encouraging me to play such a wonderful game. 

“I really enjoyed playing cricket last season despite being surrounded by COVID 19 and working full-time as a medical doctor. Nevertheless, we played some very good cricket, and I was able to perform well. My best innings was probably against Belgium in our home ground when I scored my first century ever. Looking forward, I will try my best to continue my journey and to contribute to my team as much as I can.”

Maqsood has been a key figure in Oman's middle-order, scoring 316 runs at 31.60 across formats and with the ball he picked up 21 wickets at 18.80 with his slow left-arm orthodox. Maqsood played a key role in the T20 World Cup 2021, where he won the player of the match in his side's first game of the tournament - vs Papua New Guinea - claiming 4 for 20 in his side's 10-wicket victory.

He also scored fifties against the USA and Namibia this year to further push his case for this award.

Born in Pakistan, the 34-year-old made his international debut for Oman in a T20I against Ireland in 2015. Since then, he has played in two T20 World Cups - one in 2016 in India and most recently in 2021 in the UAE, where he also led the side.

Speaking on the award, Maqsood said, “I am very delighted to be presented as the ICC Men’s Associate Cricketer of the Year. This award surely is one of the biggest achievements in my career and gives me immense pleasure that my efforts have been recognized by the ICC. 

"I would like to thank the Oman Cricket Management, my teammates, support staff, my family, and my organization to have backed me in all stances to express myself on the field. 2021 has truly been god's blessing to me in terms of my accolades and leading Oman to flourish to the highest level”.

Oman's rise in international cricket has been an incredible one. 

A decade ago, they were playing in Division Five but under the vision of Duleep Mendis, their head coach, they have risen through the ranks as they look to make it to not just another T20 World Cup, but also look to be a part of the 5-over World Cup in India.