Mushfiq got the nomination as he again showcased his full class in the month of May
Bangladesh national team’s wicket-keeper batsman Mushfiqur Rahim has been nominated for the ICC Player of the Month award for May 2021.
The International Cricket Council [ICC] launched its Player of the Month Awards in January this year to recognise and celebrate the best performances across all forms of international cricket throughout the year.
The other nominees for the award alongside Mushfiq are Pakistan pacer Hasan Ali and Sri Lanka left-arm spinner Praveen Jayawickrama.
Right-handed batsman Mushfiq got the nomination as he again showcased his full class in the month of May. He scored 80 runs at an average of 40 in the first Test on tour of Sri Lanka. But it was the ODI series against the same opposition, in Dhaka, where he displayed his world-class ability with the bat.
In three matches, middle-order batsman Mushfiq scored 237 runs at an average of 79 and a strike rate of 88.43. His knock of 125 in the second match helped the hosts seal their first-ever ODI series victory against Sri Lanka. For his contributions, Mushfiq was adjudged Player of the Series.
The 22-year old Sri Lanka spinner Praveen got the nomination for the way he stepped into the international arena. Praveen had a debut to remember during Sri Lanka’s second Test against Bangladesh in Pallekele as he emerged the first bowler in 33 years to pick up twin five-wicket hauls in his maiden Test. He ended with match figures of 11/178, the best by a Sri Lankan bowler on Test debut.
Meanwhile, Pakistani pacer Hasan was in scintillating form in the Test series against Zimbabwe. In the two-match Test series, the right-arm pacer picked up 14 wickets at a staggering average of only 8.92. He began the series with a bang, picking up 9 wickets in Pakistan’s victory in the opening Test match. He carried forward this form in the second Test as well, bowling a devastating spell in the first innings, registering figures of 5/27, as Pakistan completed a 2-0 whitewash.
The votes can be cast here https://www.icc-cricket.com/awards/player-of-the-month/mens-player-of-the-month and the results will be revealed on June 14, 2021.
