Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has been named the ICC Player of the Month for July, ICC announced on Wednesday afternoon.
On the same day, Shakib topped the list of the ICC T20 all-rounder ranking after three years for his outstanding display in the shortest format of international cricket.
Earlier, former Bangladesh captain and wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim won the ICC Player of the Month for May.
Shakib’s contributions to all three formats of the game helped Bangladesh win the series against Zimbabwe last month. He scored 96 unbeaten runs as Bangladesh defeated Zimbabwe by three wickets in the second ODI at the Harare Sports Club.
In the T20Is with the ball, Hasan took three wickets at an economy rate of seven leading his country to a series win against Zimbabwe. He is also the top Men’s all-rounder in the MRF ICC Men’s T20 Rankings announced earlier today.
“It is very humbling to be voted ICC Men’s Player of the Month for July 2021. There have been many outstanding performances during the month and that is why this is special for me,” Shakib was quoted in the ICC media release.
“I find most pleasure and satisfaction when I contribute to wins and therefore, I am very happy to have helped in Bangladesh’s successes over the last few weeks,” Shakib added.
In the recently-concluded five-match T20 series against Australia, Shakib won the player of the match award. In this series, Shakib scored more than 100 runs and bagged seven wickets.
Bangladesh will play another five-match T20I series in early September against New Zealand. The Blackcaps have already announced the squad for this series. They will arrive in Bangladesh on August 24.
The Tigers were scheduled to take on England later this year as well, but both Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and England and Wales Cricket Board (BCB) decided to reschedule this series in March 2023.
Source: United News of Bangladesh