The ICC Men’s Player of the Month nominees for August 2023 have been unveiled, featuring two prominent players from Pakistan and a dynamic wicket-keeper from the West Indies.
The race for this coveted award is heating up as these athletes showcased exceptional performances during the month.
Babar Azam (Pakistan)
Babar Azam, a two-time recipient of the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award, is vying for his third win after earning a nomination for his outstanding performance in August 2023.
As the top-ranked batter in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s ODI Player Rankings, Babar Azam continued to shine, maintaining his exceptional form from the previous month. He notched up two half-centuries and a splendid century during the month.
Despite a rare failure in the first ODI against Afghanistan, Babar quickly bounced back with back-to-back fifties. In the second ODI, his partnership with Imam-ul-Haq, where they stitched a crucial 118-run stand, set the stage for a thrilling last-over encounter. Babar contributed 53 runs to the chase, with valuable support from Imam (91 runs) and the lower-order.
Pakistan clinched victory by a narrow margin in that match, thanks to Babar’s consistent performance. He followed this up with another vital 60 runs, aiding his team in reaching a commendable total of 268/8. Pakistan’s bowlers complemented his efforts, securing a comfortable 59-run win and a 3-0 series sweep.
Babar Azam’s remarkable form extended to the Asia Cup, where he delivered a stunning 151-run knock against Nepal in the tournament opener. During this innings, Babar made history by becoming the quickest player to score 19 ODI centuries.
Additionally, his century leveled him with Pakistani legends Javed Miandad and Saeed Anwar, both with 31 centuries across all formats. Only Younis Khan (41), Mohammad Yousuf (39), and Inzamam-ul-Haq (35) have more hundreds for Pakistan.
Shadab Khan (Pakistan)
Shadab Khan, Pakistan’s star all-rounder, made crucial contributions with both bat and ball throughout August, earning him a well-deserved nomination for the Player of the Month award.
In the opening ODI against Afghanistan, Shadab’s 39 runs off 50 balls played a pivotal role in propelling Pakistan to a respectable total of 201. With the ball, he dismissed Abdul Rahman, contributing to Afghanistan’s collapse for just 59 runs.
Shadab’s batting prowess shone brightly again in the second ODI, where he earned the Player of the Match award for his explosive 48 off 35 balls. His remarkable performance alongside the lower-order batsmen led Pakistan to a thrilling victory.
In the final ODI, Shadab continued to impress with figures of 3/42, accounting for Riaz Hassan, Hashmatullah Shahidi, and Shahidullah. These breakthroughs dismantled Afghanistan’s batting line-up, securing a 3-0 series sweep for Pakistan.
Maintaining his impressive form, Shadab also excelled in the Asia Cup opener, where he claimed a four-wicket haul against Nepal. Displaying his spin and guile, he recorded figures of 4/27, further solidifying his reputation as a top-class all-rounder.
Nicholas Pooran (West Indies)
Nicholas Pooran emerged as a formidable force for the West Indies in August, playing a significant role in breaking their six-year drought against India in a thrilling T20I series.
In the first T20I, Pooran delivered a measured 34-ball 41, guiding West Indies to a competitive total of 149/6. This total proved sufficient as the Windies secured a thrilling four-run victory over India.
Following this composed performance, Pooran exploded onto the scene with a blistering 40-ball 67, featuring six fours and four sixes. His explosive innings tilted the game in favor of the West Indies, ultimately resulting in a tense victory.
Though facing setbacks in the third and fourth T20Is with scores of 20 and one respectively, Pooran’s crucial 47 off 35 balls in the final match powered West Indies to an eight-wicket win, chasing a target of 166.
With a total of 176 runs at a strike rate of 141.93, Nicholas Pooran claimed the Player of the Series title as the highest run-scorer, solidifying his position as a standout performer for the West Indies.
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