DUBAI: Right-handed batter Muhammad Waseem on Monday, created history as he became the first United Arab Emirates (UAE) player to win the ICC Men’s Player of the Month.
The UAE captain was named the Player of the Month for April at the back of his prolific run with the bat.
He claimed the prestigious accolade after beating off stiff competition from Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi and Namibia’s Gerhard Erasmus in the men’s category.
“It is a great honour to win the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award. I am thrilled to join a distinguished list of award winners from around the world,” stated Muhammad Waseem.
“The award is a big motivation for players especially those from emerging cricket teams like the UAE. Last month, our goal in the ACC Premier Cup in Oman was to qualify for next year’s Asia Cup and I am proud of my team and their performance in the tournament.
“At a personal level I am happy that I led the team from the front especially in the final. Scoring a century in a big game is indeed a special moment, especially when it helps the team to victory.
“I look forward to our preparations for the Asia Cup and my aim is to continue to deliver for the team with the bat and lead by example in these exciting times for UAE cricket.”
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Muhammad Waseem had a dream run with the bat in the recently concluded Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Men’s Premier Cup.
After falling for a golden duck against Kuwait in the campaign opener, Waseem quickly turned the tide and found form as he registered scores of 65, 45, and 48 in the next three games.
But his best came in the ACC Men’s Premier Cup final as his third T20I century led UAE to beat Oman and win the title.
Muhammad Waseem finished the Premier Cup with 269 runs and was thus named the Player of the Tournament.