The shortlist of nominees for the Bakhtiyor Zaynutdinov Award, presented to the most valuable player of the Freedom QJ League season, has been announced.
Daulet Orynbasar, Kairat
Daulet Orynbasar topped the league's goal contribution charts with 26 points – 20 goals and six assists. Daulet has excelled both as a finisher and a creator. His Kairat side secured their fourth consecutive title in the flagship competition with matches to spare and went the entire season unbeaten.
Orynbasar finished as the league's top scorer for the second consecutive season. He now has 40 goals in the U-18 competition, smashing the previous record of 26 jointly held by Dastan Satpayev and Gleb Makridov.
Rasul Akimov, Shakhter
Rasul Akimov recorded 17 goal contributions in just 15 matches, scoring 13 goals and providing four assists. He finished as Shakhter's leading scorer and the highest-scoring midfielder in the league.
Akimov's influence extended beyond goals and assists. He also stood out at set pieces, taking 73 corners – more than any other player in the competition. These qualities helped him make a significant contribution to the Karaganda side's first-ever silver medals.
Ibrahim Bauyrzhanov, Aktobe
Ibrahim Bauyrzhanov was one of Aktobe's key attacking players, registering eight goals and eight assists in 22 matches. He also worked tirelessly in defence, contesting 355 duels, making 109 interceptions and recording 95 tackles and ball recoveries combined.
Adilbek Turdakh, Ordabasy
Adilbek Turdakh recorded 22 goal contributions – the second-highest total in the league. The forward proved equally capable of scoring and creating chances, adding six assists to his 16 goals. Alongside Diyar Rakhimzhanov, he also led his team in assists. With Turdakh playing a key role, Ordabasy returned to the top three and claimed bronze medals.
Daniil Nurzhanov, Tobyl
Daniil Nurzhanov is the only goalkeeper among the nominees for MVP of the Season. His contribution was instrumental in Tobyl's best-ever campaign in the flagship competition, which saw the Kostanay side finish fourth.
Tobyl had the league's lowest-scoring attack with just 25 goals, but also boasted the third-best defensive record, conceding only 28. Nurzhanov saved 80% of the shots on target he faced – the highest save percentage among regular starting goalkeepers.
The winner will be announced at the QJ League Awards ceremony, which will take place on November 7 in Almaty. The ceremony will be broadcast on Freedom Cinema and TV.
Previous Bakhtiyor Zaynutdinov Award winners:
2023 – Dimash Serikuly (Taraz).
2024 – Dastan Satpayev (Kairat).
2025 – Gleb Makridov (Shakhter).
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