Pakistani star opener Saim Ayub has made it to the ICC Men’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year 2024 nomination list for his stunning performance in the recently concluded One-Day International (ODI) series against South Africa.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Saturday announced the nominees for the ICC Men's Emerging Cricketer of the Year award.

The nominees include two fast-starters with remarkable Test debuts, a left-hander from Sri Lanka who equaled Don Bradman's legendary record and a spirited Pakistan opener who led his team to historic triumphs.

The contenders include England's Gus Atkinson, Sri Lanka's Kamindu Mendis, West Indies' Shamar Joseph and Pakistan's rising star Saim Ayub, whose outstanding performances have redefined the expectations of up-and-coming players.

Saim Ayub (Pakistan)

In Ayub, Pakistan found a new flamboyant left-hander at the top of their batting order. While Ayub has been a consistent force in all three formats, many of his best performances came in ODIs in 2024.

As Pakistan won multiple away series in Australia, Zimbabwe and South Africa to prepare for the defence of the ICC Champions Trophy, Ayub came up big as an opener.

In South Africa, the left-hander shone with two tons from the three matches and was named player of the series in a 3-0 win - South Africa's first home victory.

Ayub was also impressive in a low-scoring match in Australia, where Pakistan narrowly outlasted the hosts to claim their first ODI series win Down Under in 22 years. The 22-year-old also offered Pakistan a handy option with the ball, taking five wickets and boasting an economy rate of 4.63.

Shamar Joseph (West Indies)

After making his debut on the Australian tour, it didn't take Joseph long to become a household name for the West Indies.

It started with a spectacular performance Down Under, helping the West Indies win their first Test match in Australia since 1997. In his first Test series, Joseph performed incredibly well with the ball, taking 13 wickets from two Tests, including two five-wicket hauls.

Later in the year, Joseph was composed in the home series against Bangladesh and South Africa, finishing with 12 wickets from three matches.

Kamindu Mendis (Sri Lanka)

Mendis became the third fastest player to score 1000 runs in men's Tests - equalling Sir Don Bradman's 13-innings mark for the milestone. This makes him the new face of Sri Lanka's batting line-up in 2024.

The middle-order batter was particularly impressive in the game's longest format, scoring 1049 runs in nine Tests - at a staggering average of 74.92. This included five centuries and three fifties.

Mendis was also Sri Lanka's highest run-getter on the England tour, where he scored 267 runs in three Tests and scored a crucial half-century in Sri Lanka's first Test win in England in a decade.

Gus Atkinson (England)

Arriving in James Anderson's final match on the Test circuit in July, Atkinson didn't take long to establish himself as England's new top-class bowler in the longest format.

After making a good start with seven wickets in his first red-ball appearance for England, Atkinson has taken 52 dismissals in 11 Tests this year. Atkinson finished the home season with 34 wickets in three Tests against West Indies and Sri Lanka, and has also done well away.

The 26-year-old took 12 dismissals in three matches as England recorded their first Test series win since 2008 in New Zealand in December.

Atkinson also showed off his batting prowess when he scored a 101-ball Test ton against Sri Lanka at Lord's.