- ICC Player of the Month is Babar Azam.
- The women’s award went to Rachael Haynes.
- In the ODI series against Australia, Babar Azam recorded two century.
Babar Azam and Rachael Haynes are the ICC Player Of The Month.
Babar Azam, the Pakistan captain, was named the ICC’Men’s Player of the Month’ for March on Monday, while Australian opener Rachael Haynes was named the ICC’Women’s Player of the Month’. Following a number of spectacular batting displays in Pakistan’s multi-format series against Australia, Azam was awarded the award. His extraordinary performance was highlighted by his record-breaking innings of 196 in the second Test, snatching a draw for his side against the odds on the penultimate day in Karachi, amassing 390 runs in the exciting Test series.
His achievements during the ensuing ODI clashes that took place in March confirmed Azam’s claim as the standout performer in international cricket during the month.
After being crowned in April 2021, Azam won the title ahead of fellow nominees Kraigg Brathwaite (West Indies) and Pat Cummins (Australia), becoming the first player to win the trophy twice.
“Babar wins this ICC player of the month award not only because of the significant glut of runs scored during the Pakistan vs Australia tour, but also because of his success with the bat across formats,” member of the voting panel and former West Indies international Daren Ganga said of Azam’s phenomenal performances in March. “It’s a great achievement to be able to fulfil the load of expectation as a captain and batter for Pakistan as host to an Australian team visiting after 24 years.” Haynes bagged the honour on the back of a formidable set of displays on the road to Australia’s seventh ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup title.
Her astonishing efforts at the top of the order, which included 429 precious runs at an average of 61.28 in eight matches, were important to her side’s unbroken run to the final, where they eventually defeated England to crown an enthralling tournament.
A few comments on being chosen Player of the Month
She won the prize over other nominees Sophie Ecclestone (England) and Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa).
“Rachael Haynes has shown incredible consistency for Australia,” said Sana Mir, a former Pakistan captain.