Babar Azam, Pakistan’s cricket captain, has once again etched his name in cricketing history by securing the coveted ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for August 2023. This remarkable achievement solidifies his status as one of the world’s premier cricket talents.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) unveiled the latest recipients of this prestigious honor on September 12, acknowledging exceptional international performances throughout the month of August.
Babar Azam’s stellar achievements during this period included stellar batting displays against Afghanistan and a breathtaking century against Nepal.
His consistency and sheer brilliance with the bat set him apart, making him the first male player to claim the ICC Player of the Month award on three separate occasions. Babar had previously triumphed in April 2021 and March 2022, further establishing his reputation as a cricketing sensation.
Babar Azam’s outstanding form in August positions him strongly for the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, slated to kick off next month.
While he commenced the ODI series against Afghanistan in a subdued manner, he quickly regained his form in the final two matches, making significant contributions to Pakistan’s series sweep with scores of 53 and 60.
However, Babar’s most extraordinary performance of the month unfolded in the opening Asia Cup clash against Nepal in Multan. Despite Pakistan’s shaky start at 25 for two, Babar showcased extraordinary control and flair, stabilizing the innings and ultimately propelling his team to an imposing total of 342.
In a stunning display of skill, Babar Azam concluded the match with a remarkable 151 runs from just 131 deliveries. In total, he accumulated 264 runs in the month, boasting an impressive average of 66 and a strike rate of 92.30.
Grinning ear to ear, Babar expressed his joy, stating, “I am thrilled to be crowned ICC Player of the Month for August 2023. The past month has been nothing short of extraordinary for my team and me, as we delivered some outstanding performances. Playing in front of the passionate and cricket-loving crowds of Multan and Lahore during the Asia Cup was truly special. Scoring my second ODI score of 150-plus in front of my own people in Multan doubled the joy.”
He continued, “I am eagerly looking forward to capitalizing on this form as we approach an exciting phase of cricket, with the Asia Cup’s climax approaching and the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup just around the corner. My team and I are determined to bring joy and happiness to the millions of cricket fans in Pakistan.”
In the women’s category, Arlene Kelly celebrated her first Player of the Month award, thanks to her outstanding contributions that propelled Ireland to a dominant 3-0 victory over the Netherlands in Amstelveen.
Kelly’s remarkable performance included claiming ten wickets across three T20I matches, at an astonishingly low average of 4.30, consistently troubling the competitive Dutch lineup.
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