Mushfiqur Rahim became the first Bangladeshi player to get nomination for International Cricket Council’s (ICC) newly inducted Player of the Month Award.
The ICC on Tuesday announced the nominees for May’s ICC Player of the Month Awards to recognise the best performances from both male and female cricketers across all forms of international cricket.
The Bangladesh’s wicket-keeper batsman gets nomination along with Pakistan’s fast bowler Hasan Ali and Sri Lanka’s left-arm spinner Praveen Jayawickrama. Their performance in the month of May had got them the nomination.
In May Mushfiqur Rahim played one Test and three ODIs against Sri Lanka. He helped Bangladesh win their first ODI series against Sri Lanka by scoring 125 in the second ODI.
In this period Hasan Ali of Pakistan played two Tests against Zimbabwe where he took a total of 14 wickets. From Sri Lanka’s camp, debutant Praveen Jayawickrama played one Test against Bangladesh, where he took a total of 11 wickets at 16.11. He bowled Sri Lanka to victory in the second Test against Bangladesh with the best match figures by any Sri Lankan bowler on Test debut.
ICC also announced the names of three women cricketers for their performance in May with all-rounder Kathryn Bryce from Scotland, Gaby Lewis and Leah Paul of Ireland making the shortlist.
An ICC statement said the three nominees for either category are shortlisted based on on-field performances and overall achievements during that month (the first to the last day of each calendar month).
This shortlist is then voted on by the independent ICC Voting Academy and fans around the world. The ICC Voting Academy comprises prominent members of the cricket family including senior journalists, former players, broadcasters, and some members of the ICC Hall of Fame.
The Voting Academy will submit their votes by email and retain a 90 per cent share of the vote. Additionally, fans registered with the ICC will be able to vote via the ICC website once the shortlisted players are announced and will have a 10 per cent share of the vote. Winners will be announced every second Monday of the month on the ICC’s digital channels.
