In a Twitter post, the ICC announced the development and said 2021 was “memorable for Mohammad Rizwan.” According to the ICC statistics, the Peshawar born cricketer scored 1,326 runs in 29 matches at an average of 73.66 with one century and 24 dismissals as wicketkeeper.

“The double happiness is that Pakistan name is also being added to this achievement because this award has been awarded to Pakistan,” he said in a video statement. Rizwan also gave credit to the cricket management, PCB, former players, and the analysis department for their efforts.

Rizwan beat English wicketkeeper batter Jos Buttler, Sri Lankan spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, and Austrlian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh in the run up to the award.

“The wicketkeeper-batter ruled the roost in 2021 when it came to the shortest format of the game. Aggregating a staggering 1326 runs in only 29 matches, Rizwan struck at an average of 73.66 and a strike-rate of 134.89,” it said in a post.

Rizwan, who recently won the Pakistan Cricket Board’s Most Valuable Cricketer of the Year award, was “solid” with gloves and responsible for Pakistan's electric starts while opening the batting at the T20 World Cup.

“He also scored the maiden T20I century of his career against South Africa in Lahore early in the year and ended it continuing his form with a brilliant knock of 87 against West Indies in Karachi,” it read.

The ICC on January 19 announced the ICC Men’s T20I team of the year in which Rizwan was also named alongside his teammates Shaheen Shah Afridi and Babar Azam, who was announced captain of the team.

Reacting to the development, the PCB and cricket aficionados showered praise upon Rizwan.

The PCB said: "You [Rizwan] deserve this."

People from across the border also congratulated him.

Some called him a "gem."