Mushfiqur Rahim plays a shot against Sri Lanka. - AFP
Mushfiqur Rahim plays a shot against Sri Lanka. - AFP

Mushfiqur Rahim was the top scorer in the recently-concluded three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka. Woman All-rounder Kathryn Bryce is the first player from Scotland – male or female – to make it to the top 10 of the batting or bowling lists in the ICC Player Rankings.

Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim and Scotland all-rounder Kathryn Bryce have been named the ICC Players of the Months respectively male and female for May 2021. Both cricketers have received the awards following exemplary performances for their teams recently.

Mushfiqur Rahim (L), Kathryn Bryce (R) voted ICC Players of the Month for May 2021(HT Collage)
Mushfiqur Rahim (L), Kathryn Bryce (R) voted ICC Players of the Month for May 2021(HT Collage)

Mushfiqur Rahim Has Not Lost His Appetite For Run Making: VVS Laxman

Mushfiqur Rahim was the top scorer in the recently-concluded 3-match ODI series against Sri Lanka at home. He scored 237 runs in the three matches and helped Bangladesh win their first ODI series against Sri Lanka by scoring 125 in the second ODI.

Commenting on Rahim’s performance in May, VVS Laxman representing the ICC Voting Academy added: “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.”

Mushfiqur Rahim scored 237 runs in 3 ODIs against Sri Lanka with the top score of 125

“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,” he added.

Mushfiqur Rahim has chosen to skip the T20I series during the Zimbabwe visit one month from now. He has informed the Bangladesh Cricket Board about his choice. This is the first run through Mushfiqur Rahim has requested a break in his international vocation up from when he has been injured. Since making his first appearance in 2005, he has addressed Bangladesh in 74 Tests, 227 ODIs, and 86 T20I games.

Kathryn Bryce Batted With Flair And Bowled Well Too: Ramiz Raja

All-rounder Kathryn Bryce is the first player from Scotland – male or female – to make it to the top 10 of the batting or bowling lists in the ICC Player Rankings released recently. Kathryn Bryce played four T20Is against Ireland where she scored 96 runs and took 5 wickets with an economy rate of 4.76 in the month of May.

Commenting on Kathryn’s performance in May, Ramiz Raja representing the ICC Voting Academy said, “Kathryn’s all-round game came through in a series that her team lost. She batted with flair and bowled well too and deserved to be the player of the month for May.”

Kathryn Bryce – ICC Women’s Player of the Month for May 2021

The three nominees for both categories were shortlisted based on on-field performances and overall achievements during the month (the first to the last day of each calendar month).

The 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 members of the ICC Hall of Fame.

The Voting Academy submit their votes by email and retain a 90 per cent share of the vote. Additionally, fans registered with the ICC are able to vote via the ICC website once the shortlisted players are announced and have a 10 per cent share of the vote. Winners are announced every second Monday of the month via the ICC’s digital channels.

The ICC Player of the Month is a monthly award presented since January 2021 by the International Cricket Council to recognize cricketers, male and female, that have best performed across all forms of international cricket. Rishabh Pant, Ravichandran Ashwin, Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, and Babar Azam have been previous recipients.