After a year of Associate cricket, who has stood out for you?
| As another year of Associate and Affiliate cricket draws to a close, it's almost the review season, and it's time for you, the readers, to cast your votes. The ICC have their Associate and Affiliate Player of the Year, with their four nominees, but I think they've missed a few crucial names. And besides, it never hurts to get the opinions of those who matter most: the fans. Popping Crease POTY Shortlist: Copyright unknown Hong Kong's Irfan Ahmed was explosive at the top of the order in the Twenty20 format this year. Back in March, his big innings against Malaysia and Singapore saw Hong Kong safely through to the UAE. Once there, it was his blistering century against Canada that set the wheels in motion and put Hong Kong on course for qualification. He was also excellent in the field, and picked up handy wickets.  Photo by Philip Brown It has been in first-class cricket that Izatullah Dawlatzai has really made his mark this year. Twenty wickets at 12.95 apiece have made a startling impact in the Intercontinental Cup, and he final, which starts tomorrow, could make or break his season. Still only 22 years old, Dawlatzai has a huge future as a part of the Afghanistan pace battery. However, he was only called upon once in the Qualifier last month.  Photo by ESPNcricinfo Ahsan Malik Jamil looked to be having a quiet year for the Dutch when he arrived in the UAE in November. However, as many of his team struggled, Malik had no such troubles. His 21 wickets at exactly ten apiece were vital in the Netherlands edging through in fifth place. He kept things tight, with an economy of under a run-a-ball, and his best performances came when there was most pressure on his team.  Photo from Hamrocricket The man with possibly the biggest following outside Test cricket, Paras Khadka is the key man for Nepal. As a general rule of thumb, if Khadka has a good game, Nepal win. If he has a bad game, they lose. In the WCL and Qualifier, he had enough good games to lead Nepal to by far the most successful year in their cricketing history; the WCL Division Three winners are also off to Bangladesh.  Photo by Mike Hewitt Scotland have had an exceptionally forgettable year, but without one sparkling young player, it could have been much worse. As most of the batsmen failed, it was Matt Machan who averaged 45 in the UAE; Machan who hit his maiden ODI century before taking three wickets to defeat Kenya in the WCL Championship; Machan who has made the number three spot his own.  Photo from Sky Sports Nawroz Mangal's Afghanistan have had a somewhat more impressive year than Scotland, and he has been right at the centre of it. His century against Scotland was a top class innings, but just as important were the contributions of 30 or 40 that he always seemed to make in low-scoring WCL matches. Afghanistan are now in both World Cups, and it is no fluke.  Photo from the BBC The Leinster captain and Ireland star Kevin O'Brien has had another explosive season in 2013. He was below par in his various T20 freelance outings, but when he was back playing for Irish sides, he was right at the peak of his game. A ton for Leinster and unbeaten, tie-stealing 84 against Pakistan stand out as the jewels in his crown, but his canny medium-pace and hard-hitting consistency were always influential.  Photo from the ICC He might not be the one who spent time with the Rajasthan Royals, but Basanta Regmi has been Nepal's most consistent spinner. His 14-wicket performance at the Qualifier was all the more impressive given that as well as looking forwards, he has to constantly look over his shoulder at the other spin talent vying for his place in the team. As well as his wicket-taking capability, he was also extremely economical.  Photo from the BBC My own personal vote for this award isn't even on the ICC shortlist, but Paul Stirling has had another fantastic year. He twice scored hundreds against Full Members in the summer, one against Pakistan in the tied ODI and one against the Australians in their first-class game. He was also by far the most valuable player at the Qualifier, whoever the Player of the Tournament turned out to be, and is now a real all-rounder.  Photo from Dreamcricket Last, but by no means least, Florida's Steven Taylor hasn't stopped being excellent all year. Some of his best innings include: 95 and 127* against the Caymans, and 101 against Bermuda (in the Americas T20); 162 against Nepal, and 97 against Bermuda (in WCL Division Three); 91 against Italy, 44 against Namibia and 42 against the UAE. The man has scored runs for fun. Which one of those ten will win the Player of the Year? I have no idea yet - it's your job to decide. | Final Results Paras Khadka - 48.32% (14,331 votes) Nawroz Mangal - 47.5% (14,088 votes) Izatullah Dawlatzai - 1.75% (518 votes) Basanta Regmi - 1.22% (361 votes) Matt Machan - 0.5% (148 votes) Kevin O'Brien - 0.24% (70 votes) Paul Stirling - 0.17% (50 votes) Ahsan Malik Jamil - 0.11% (34 votes) Irfan Ahmed - 0.11% (33 votes) Steven Taylor - 0.09% (26 votes) Total Votes: 29,659 |
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