Tag: Player of the Month

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday unveiled the nominees for the Men’s Player of the Month for March 2026, with India’s star duo Jasprit Bumrah and Sanju Samson joined by South Africa’s emerging wicketkeeper-batter Connor Esterhuizen.

The shortlist reflects standout performances during a high-stakes month of T20 cricket, headlined by the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Sanju Samson emerged as one of the biggest stories of the tournament, turning his late inclusion into a dream run.

The right-hander delivered under pressure with an unbeaten 97 against the West Indies in a must-win Super Eight clash, before producing back-to-back 89s in the semi-final against England and the final against New Zealand.

His remarkable consistency not only powered India to a successful title defence but also earned him the Player of the Tournament award.

Across three matches in March, Samson piled up 275 runs at an astonishing average of 137.50, coupled with a strike rate nearing 200, underlining his dominance on the biggest stage.

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Jasprit Bumrah, meanwhile, once again proved why he is regarded as one of the finest bowlers in world cricket. The pace spearhead played a decisive role in India’s title-winning campaign, delivering crucial spells in the knockout stages.

He struck twice against the West Indies in the Super Eight, including the key wicket of Shimron Hetmyer, before producing a disciplined outing in the semi-final against England, where he stood out in a high-scoring contest.

Bumrah then delivered a match-winning performance in the final, claiming four wickets for just 15 runs against New Zealand to seal the trophy and earn Player of the Match honours.

Completing the trio is Connor Esterhuizen, who enjoyed a breakthrough month in international cricket. The Proteas batter impressed in his debut T20I series against New Zealand, amassing 200 runs in five matches at an average of 50.

After starting with an unbeaten 45, he registered his maiden T20I half-century with a 57 off 33 deliveries.

He capped off the series with a blistering 75 in the decider, guiding South Africa to a 3-2 series victory and earning multiple Player of the Match awards.

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DUBAI: Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan has been named the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for February 2026, capping off a remarkable run with the bat during the T20 World Cup.

Farhan’s award-winning performances came despite Pakistan’s early exit from the tournament, as the right-hander emerged as the standout batter of the competition.

He amassed a tournament-high 383 runs in just six innings at an impressive average of 76.60, striking at 160.25.

The 29-year-old’s campaign was highlighted by two centuries and two half-centuries, making him the first batter to score multiple hundreds in a single edition of the T20 World Cup.

In the process, he also surpassed Virat Kohli’s long-standing record for the most runs in a single edition of the tournament.

Farhan’s consistency saw him register scores of 47, 73, 0, 100*, did not bat, 63 and 100 across seven matches, earning him a place in the ICC Team of the Tournament.

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Reflecting on the accolade, Farhan expressed gratitude for the recognition on cricket’s biggest stage.

“It’s an incredible feeling to win this ICC award, especially for performances on the World Cup stage, where fans from all over the world are watching every moment. That makes it even more special,” he said.

“It was truly a tournament I’ll always cherish, and I’m determined to carry this momentum forward in the series and competitions ahead.

“I’m deeply grateful to my teammates for their constant support and belief in me – this wouldn’t have been possible without them.”

The prolific run also propelled Farhan to a career-best second position in the ICC Men’s T20I batting rankings following his century against Sri Lanka in Pallekele.

Notably, this marks Farhan’s first ICC Player of the Month award, making him the first Pakistan men’s cricketer to receive the honour since Haris Rauf in November 2024.

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DUBAI: Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc has been named the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for December 2025, following a series of match-winning performances in the 4-1 Ashes triumph at home.

Starc edged out West Indies batter Justin Greaves and New Zealand seamer Jacob Duffy for the honour.

The left-arm quick played a central role throughout the Ashes, setting the tone early with a 10-wicket haul in the opening Test in Perth before backing it up with eight wickets in Brisbane.

He continued to make telling contributions in the latter half of the series, claiming four wickets each in Adelaide and Melbourne to finish December with 16 wickets for the month.

Starc’s influence was not limited to the ball. Timely half-centuries in Brisbane and Adelaide added valuable runs down the order and helped Australia establish an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

Australia eventually sealed the Ashes 4-1, with Starc finishing as the leading wicket-taker with 31 scalps and collecting the Player of the Series award for his all-round impact.

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“It’s an honour to be named the ICC Player of the Month, and even more special that it came on the back of such a successful home Ashes,” Starc said.

“Playing a part in winning such an iconic series in front of our home crowd is something we will all cherish for a long time.”

Looking ahead, he underlined the importance of sustaining Australia’s recent momentum as the side targets further success in the longest format.

“As a team, we’ve had some outstanding performances in recent years. The focus now is on building that momentum towards next year’s ICC World Test Championship Final,” he added.

The award marks Starc’s first ICC Men’s Player of the Month recognition and ends a two-year wait for an Australian winner, with Pat Cummins having last claimed the honour in December 2023.

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DUBAI: Pakistan’s left-arm spinner Noman Ali has been shortlisted for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for October 2025, following a sensational run in the two-match Test series against South Africa.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the nominees on Thursday, with South Africa’s Senuran Muthusamy and Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan joining Noman in contention for the honour.

Noman, who has been in sublime form in red-ball cricket, was Pakistan’s standout performer in the series.

The No.3-ranked ICC Men’s Test bowler took 14 wickets at an average of 23.07, including his third career 10-wicket haul, to help Pakistan clinch a memorable 93-run victory in the opening Test in Lahore.

He followed it up with another strong showing in Rawalpindi, where he bagged four wickets and chipped in with a valuable 17 runs, finishing as the leading wicket-taker of the series.

Meanwhile, South Africa’s Senuran Muthusamy also made a strong case with an all-round performance in the same series.

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The 31-year-old accumulated 106 runs at 53.00 and picked up 11 wickets at 18.36, earning him the Player of the Series award.

His career-best match figures of 11 for 174 in Lahore and an unbeaten 89 in Rawalpindi underlined his class and consistency.

Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan, on the other hand, was at his brilliant best across formats.

The leg-spinner played a pivotal role in his team’s 3-0 ODI sweep over Bangladesh, claiming 11 wickets at an economy rate of 2.73, with a best of 5 for 17.

He also impressed in T20Is against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, taking nine wickets at just 4.82 runs per over, including standout spells of 4-18 and 3-9.

READ: Shahid Afridi to represent Pakistan in Over-40s T20 World Cup

DUBAI: India’s rising star Abhishek Sharma has been named the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for September 2025, owing to his sensational Asia Cup campaign.

The 25-year-old left-hander beat competition from teammate Kuldeep Yadav and Zimbabwe’s Brian Bennett to claim the award.

Sharma was the standout performer of the Asia Cup, finishing as the tournament’s top run-scorer with 314 runs in seven T20Is at a staggering strike rate of 200 and an average of 44.85.

His run tally included three fifties, each crafted with remarkable control and aggression at the top of the order.

Among his most memorable performances were a fluent 75-run knock against Pakistan and a 74-run blitz against Bangladesh during the group stage.

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He later produced a match-defining innings in the semi-final against Sri Lanka, guiding India into the final with his signature mix of timing and temperament.

Reacting to the honour, Abhishek Sharma said he was humbled by the recognition and credited his teammates and the coaching staff for creating an environment that brings out the best in every player.

“It feels great to win this ICC award, and I’m happy that it has come for some important matches where I could contribute to the team’s success,” said Sharma.

“I’m proud to be part of a team that fights together and believes till the last ball. Our recent performances reflect our positive mindset and unity. I’m thankful to the team management for their guidance, my teammates for their support, and the ICC panel for this recognition.”

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DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday announced the nominees for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for August 2025, including West Indies fast bowler Jayden Seales.

Along with Seales, New Zealand fast bowler Matt Henry and India’s pacer Mohammed Siraj have also been shortlisted due to their stellar performances.

Jayden Seales was pivotal in the West Indies’ success over Pakistan in the ODI series.

Last month, the West Indies defeated Pakistan for the first time in 34 years in an ODI series. Seales showcased his dominance throughout the series, picking up 10 wickets in three matches at a mouth-watering average of 10.

He did not have the best of an outing in the first ODI, with one wicket to his name. However, he made a comeback in the second ODI, picking up three wickets. His best came in the series decider, where he tore through the Pakistan batting line-up.

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He recorded career-best figures of 6-18, which were also the third best by a West Indies bowler in ODI history.

The second on the list, Mohammed Siraj, was named in the list due to his outstanding performance in the final Test against England, which helped India level the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

The right-arm pacer remained pivotal throughout the series, particularly in the fifth Test at the Oval, where he scalped nine wickets.

Meanwhile, the third on the list, Matt Henry, was lethal with the ball against Zimbabwe in the Test series, which New Zealand won 2-0. The 33-year-old pacer took 16 wickets in two matches at a stellar average of just 9.12.

Henry rattled Zimbabwe’s batting lineup with a six-wicket haul in the first innings, followed by another three wickets in the second innings to bag the Player of the Match award.

He did not stop there and continued his excellent bowling form in the second Test, bagging another five-wicket haul and picking up two wickets in the second innings to give Black Caps a massive victory of an innings and 359 runs.

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DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday announced the nominees for the Men’s Player of the Month award for June 2025, featuring South Africa’s Aiden Markram and Kagiso Rabada, alongside Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka.

South African opener Aiden Markram was included in the list after playing a vital role in the Proteas’ maiden ICC World Test Championship (WTC) title.

Markram demonstrated his all-round ability in the match, first with the ball and then with the willow. He broke a crucial 79-run stand between Steve Smith and Beau Webster in the first innings.

Aiden Markram removed the well-set Smith (66) on the sixth ball of his first over just at the stroke of lunch. Moreover, he also broke Australia’s last-wicket 59-run stand between Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood in their second attempt, which gave them a healthy lead of 74 runs.

After getting out on duck in the first innings, Aiden Markram came back with a match-winning 136-run knock while chasing a challenging 282-run target, hence ending South Africa’s 27-year wait for an ICC trophy.

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Kagiso Rabada spearheaded South Africa’s pace attack in the WTC final, taking a fiery five-wicket haul in the first innings to rattle Australia for a meager total of 212.

South Africa were bowled out for 138 in their first essay, but Kagiso Rabada stood tall again, not letting the defending champions post an imposing total. The 30-year-old turned the match on its head after removing Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green in a short period.

The right-arm pacer took nine wickets in the match, which moved him to fourth position among South Africa’s all-time Test wicket-takers with 336 scalps to his name.

Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka featured in the list based on his stellar performances in the two-match Test series against Bangladesh.

Nissanka started Sri Lanka’s WTC cycle with a career-best in the series opener. He scored a monumental 187 runs with the aid of 24 boundaries and a six, helping his team reach closer to Bangladesh’s mammoth 495-run total.

After Sri Lanka bowled out Bangladesh for 247 in the second Test, the right-handed batter was equally impressive, scoring 158 runs on a turning pitch, which helped the Islanders secure a decisive 211-run lead.

Pathum Nissanka’s heroics eventually helped Sri Lanka clinch the series 1-0 as they defeated Bangladesh by an innings and 78 runs.

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Bangladesh all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz has been named the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for April 2025, following his stellar all-round performance in the recently concluded Test series against Zimbabwe.

Mehidy edged out Zimbabwe’s Blessing Muzarabani and New Zealand pacer Ben Sears to claim the honour, his first-ever ICC Player of the Month title.

With this, he becomes only the third Bangladeshi cricketer to win the award, after Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan.

Reacting to the news, Mehidy said the award holds special significance for him and reflects the journey he has had so far.

“Moments like these remind me of my journey — being named Player of the Tournament in the 2016 ICC U19 World Cup was a massive encouragement early in my career, and this award feels just as special,” he said.

The 27-year-old dedicated the award to his teammates, coaches, and fans, calling it a motivation to keep performing for Bangladesh at the highest level.

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“The ICC Awards are the ultimate recognition for any cricketer, and to receive this from a global vote means a lot to me… This award belongs to everyone who’s supported me,” he added.

As for the performance that earned him the title, it was nothing short of phenomenal.

In the two-match Test series, Mehidy Hasan Miraz scored 116 runs at an average of 38.66 and picked up 15 wickets at a staggering average of 11.86.

In the first Test in Sylhet, he was Bangladesh’s standout performer with back-to-back five-wicket hauls, 5 for 52 and 5 for 50, but despite his heroics, Zimbabwe clinched a dramatic three-wicket win.

But Mehidy bounced back in the second Test in Chattogram, delivering a complete performance.

After dismantling Zimbabwe in the first innings, he played a match-defining knock of 104 off 162 balls, his third Test century, before wrapping up the game with another five-for (5 for 32) to hand Bangladesh an innings-and-106-run win, levelling the series 1-1.

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DUBAI: Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf has been crowned ICC Men’s Player of the Month for November 2024, owing to his brilliant performances in white-ball cricket.

He claimed the prestigious award after beating off stiff competition from Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and South African pacer Marco Jansen.

Haris Rauf played a key role in Pakistan’s historic ODI series victory against Australia last month, their first series win Down Under since 2002.

The right-arm fast bowler was the standout performer, taking 10 wickets at an impressive average of 12.00, which earned him the Player of the Series award.

Continuing his stellar form, Rauf took five wickets during the three-match T20I series against Australia, which Pakistan lost 0-3.

Pakistan then travelled to Zimbabwe, where Haris Rauf claimed three wickets in three ODIs to help Pakistan clinch the series 2-1.

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Overall, he claimed 18 wickets across formats in November to clinch the coveted ICC Men’s Player of the Month award.

He is currently on a tour of South Africa, where Pakistan lost the first T20I by a narrow 11-run margin yesterday.

It’s worth noting that the second T20I is scheduled to be played in Centurion on December 13, while the final T20I is scheduled in Johannesburg on December 14.

After wrapping up the T20I series, Pakistan and South Africa will play a three-match ODI series.

The opening ODI will take place on December 17 in Paarl, while the second and third ODIs will be played in Cape Town and Johannesburg on December 19 and 22 respectively.

Pakistan and South Africa will then engage in a two-match Test series, which will kick off in Centurion on December 26, meanwhile, the second Test will start from January 3 in Cape Town.

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DUBAI: Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah was crowned ICC Men’s Player of the Month for the Month of June, owing to his brilliant performance in the T20 World Cup 2024.

He claimed the prestigious award after beating off stiff competition from his teammate Rohit Sharma and Afghanistan’s wicketkeeper batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz.

Bumrah expressed his jubilation over earning the award for Player of the Month, thanking his family and team-mates for supporting him.

“I am delighted to be named the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for June. It’s a special honour for me following a memorable few weeks spent in the USA and West Indies,” stated Jasprit Bumrah.

“We have had a lot to celebrate as a team, and I’m delighted to be able to add this personal accolade to the list. To perform as well as we did at the tournament and lift the trophy at the end is incredibly special, and I will carry those memories with me forever.

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“I wish to congratulate my captain Rohit Sharma and Rahmanullah Gurbaz for their excellent performances in the same period, and I am humbled to have been chosen as the winner.

“Finally, I want to thank my family, all of my teammates and coaches as well as the fans who have voted for me. Their support pushes me to compete at the best of my ability in national colours.”

The right-handed pacer, who also served as the vice-captain, was instrumental to India’s unbeaten title victory in the T20 World Cup 2024.

He was the second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament with 15 wickets at an average of 8.26, which also bagged him the Player of the Tournament award.

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