Mushfiqur Rahim voted ICC men’s player of the month for May

Mushfiqur Rahim celebrates his century in the second ODI against visiting Sri Lanka at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on 25 May 2021Prothom Alo file photo

Bangladeshi star cricketer Mushfiqur Rahim has been elected ICC men’s player of the month for May for his brilliant performance against Sri Lanka.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) Monday announced the winners of the ICC Player of the Month Awards for May, says an ICC media release.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur has got the recognition for his performance in one Test and three ODIs against Sri Lanka in the month of May.

Mushfiq was adjudged player of the series as he scored 237 runs at an average of 79 and a strike rate of 88.43 in the three match ODI series against Sri Lanka. His performance was instrumental in Bangladesh’s first-ever ODI series victory against the Lions.

The ICC has launched player of the month awards from January 2021 to recognise and celebrate the best performances across all forms of international cricket throughout the year. An independent voting academy decides the winner. The academy comprises former players, journalists and broadcasters, as well as cricket fans from around the world who vote on ICC’s channels.

Even after 15 years at the highest level, Mushfiqur has not lost his appetite for run-making
VVS Laxman

Pakistan pacer Hasan Ali and Sri Lanka left-arm spinner Praveen Jayawickrama were other nominees for the award.

Commenting on Mushfiqur’s performance in May, former Indian star VVS Laxman, who represented the ICC voting academy said, “Even after 15 years at the highest level, Mushfiqur has not lost his appetite for run-making. He was at his imperious best in the one-day series at home against Sri Lanka, a picture of consistency with the highlight being 125 in the second match which helped his side secure a winning 2-0 lead in the three-match series.”

“What made his feat even more notable was that it was Bangladesh’s first-ever ODI series triumph against the 1996 World Cup champions. To shore up the middle order and don the wicket-keeping gloves speaks volumes of his fitness and skills,” Laxman quoted by ICC as saying.

Scotish all-rounder Kathryn Bryce was voted the ICC women’s player of the month.

She is the first player from Scotland to make it to the top 10 of the batting or bowling lists in the MRF Tyres ICC player rankings released recently.