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Pakistan skipper Babar Azam has been declared the ODI Cricketer of the Year by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday.

Babar defeated star cricketer of Bangladesh Shakib Al Hasan, Janneman Malan of South Africa and Ireland's Paul Stirling for the ODI Cricketer of the Year award.

The Pakistani captain only played six ODI in the previous year but he made vital contributions in the two series. He scored 405 runs in six matches at an average of 67.50 with two centuries.

The 27-year-old was the second-highest run-scorer with 228 runs and was the Player of the Match in both of Pakistan's wins in the 2-1 series victory against South Africa.

Babar made a century and laid the foundation with an 82-ball 94 in the final ODI where the visitors posted 320 batting first. He was the lone warrior for Pakistan when they were swept by England 3-0.