From Rahul Dravid to Shaheen Afridi, every ICC cricketer of the year - in pictures

Pakistan fast bowler became the latest - and youngest - recipient of the Sir Garfield Sobers trophy

Former India captain and current coach Rahul Dravid received the first Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for the ICC cricketer of the year in 2004. Getty

South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis was named the cricket of the year in 2005. AFP

England’s Andrew Flintoff - star of the 2005 Ashes - was also named the ICC cricketer of year alongside Jacques Kallis. Getty

Star Australia batsman and captain Ricky Ponting was named cricketer of the year in 2006 and 2007. Getty

West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul was the cricketer of the year in 2008. Andrew Parsons / The National

Aussie quick Mitchell Johnson became the first fast bowler to be named cricketer of the year, in 2009. Getty

India batting legend Sachin Tendulkar was adjudged cricketer of the year in 2010 - the year in which he became the first batsman to score an ODI double century.

England batsman Jonathan Trott was named cricketer of 2011. Satish Kumar / The National

Sri Lanka wicketkeeper batsman Kumar Sangakkara was the ICC cricketer of 2012. Getty

Australia captain Michael Clarke was cricketer of the year in 2013.

Aussie quick Mitchell Johnson won the cricketer of the year award for the second time - in 2014. Pawan Singh / The National

Australia batsman Steve Smith was cricketer of the year in 2015 - following the 50-over World Cup win. Reuters

India's Ravichandran Ashwin became the first spinner to win the cricketer of the year award - in 2016. AFP

Star India batsman Virat Kohli was cricketer of the year for 2017 and 2018 - a period where he dominated the run charts in all formats and enjoyed an average of above 50 in all cricket. AFP

England's Ben Stokes did it all in 2019 - won the World Cup at home and clinched a stunning Ashes win single-handedly at Headingley. AP

Fast bowler Shaheen Afridi became the first Pakistan cricketer and the youngest - at 21 - to win the ICC cricketer of the year award. Reuters

The International Cricket Council's cricketer of the year is the most prestigious award in the game, a recognition of a player's individual excellence.

While cricket is a team game, some players rise above the rest and the world body has been rewarding their contributions since 2004 in the form of the Sir Garfield Sobers trophy for the best men's player of the year.

The awards have been dominated by batsmen and all-rounders, with Australia quick Mitchell Johnson and India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin the only bowlers to receive the honour.

Then on Monday, Pakistan left-arm quick Shaheen Afridi became the first from his country and the youngest recipient, at 21, to receive the annual award.

Afridi picked up 78 wickets in 36 international matches in 2021 but his most memorable effort was the opening burst against India at the T20 World Cup in Dubai which not only set up a 10-wicket win but also handed his team a first win over their neighbours in a World Cup.

Afridi famously trapped Rohit Sharma first ball before castling KL Rahul with an in-swinger to erase the pain of 12 successive World Cup defeats against India.

"In 2021 our team performed really well and we won some very good matches," Afridi said after being given the award.

"I had many good performances including five-fors in Tests but the most memorable one for me would be the one we won against India," he added.

"It was a historical match and matches with India draw a big audience."