JOHANNESBURG: Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada was named South African Cricketer of the Year on Tuesday in Johannesburg and received five other awards after an outstanding first international season.

His other awards included Players’ Player of the Year, Test Cricketer of the Year and One-day international Cricketer of the Year.

Not only is Rabada the only player to notch up that many awards, but he is also the youngest to win the main prize.

Previously only A.B. de Villiers and Hashim Amla had won five each.

The 21-year-old also received the Delivery of the Year and Fans’ Cricketer of the Year prizes during a banquet.

The only major award Rabada did not win was the T20 cricketer of the year, which went to Pakistan-born leg-spinner Imran Tahir.

“I never expected this,” said Rabada, who made his Test and One-day International debuts only last year. “It feels like I am dreaming.”

Rabada took 24 wickets in six Tests at an average of 24.70, including 13 against England at SuperSport Park in Centurion this year.

Popularly known as ‘KG’, he also claimed 30 wickets in 11 One-day Internationals at an average of 20.13.

Batsman Stephen Cook, despite only playing one international in the 2015-16 season a Test against England, won the international newcomer of the year award for his century on debut in the only Test South Africa won in the last home season.

Published in Dawn, July 28th, 2016