Bangladesh Match-Winner Bags ICC Award After Dismantling New Zealand

Bangladesh team [Source: AFP]In a major update, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for April 2026 on Thursday, May 14. Notably, several players delivered strong performances during the month. As a result, Bangladesh pacer Nahid Rana, Oman captain Jatinder Singh, and United Arab Emirates left-arm seamer Ajay Kumar were shortlisted for the award.Among the three nominees, Bangladesh’s young pace sensation Nahid Rana won the prestigious honour. Nahid Rana’s Brilliant Performance Against New ZealandNotably, Nahid Rana played a key role in Bangladesh’s 1-1 ODI series draw against New Zealand. During the series, he picked up eight wickets in just two matches, while one game was abandoned due to heavy rain. Furthermore, Nahid continued his excellent form from the previous month. Earlier, he had also taken eight wickets in a three-match ODI series against Pakistan. Therefore, his consistent performances over two consecutive series made him a deserving winner of the ICC award.This achievement is also historic for Bangladesh cricket. It is the first time Rana has won an ICC monthly award. Moreover, he became the first Bangladesh men’s player to receive the honour since all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz won it in April last year.Nahid Rana Reacts To The Award“It’s a great feeling to be named the ICC Player of the Month after performing well against a world-class side like New Zealand," Rana said.“To deliver on home soil made the series even more special and it was a series that I will always cherish.“I’m grateful to my team-mates for their constant support and belief in me throughout."Also Read: Bangladesh's Nahid Rana Enacts Worst Misfields Of All Time Vs PakistanNahid Rana’s International Career So FarIt is worth mentioning that Nahid Rana made his international debut for Bangladesh in 2024. Since then, the young fast bowler has quickly become an important player for the national team. So far, the 23-year-old has played 11 ODIs and taken 21 wickets with an economy rate of 4.99.At the same time, he also impressed in the recent Test series against Pakistan. In the first Test match, he claimed six wickets with an economy rate of 4.67.ICC Women’s Player Of The Month For April AnnouncedMeanwhile, the ICC also announced the Women’s Player of the Month award for April 2026. South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt, Sri Lanka batter Imesha Dulani, and Brazil all-rounder Laura Cardoso were shortlisted after delivering excellent performances during the month.Eventually, South African skipper Laura Wolvaardt won the women’s award. She finished ahead of Imesha Dulani and Laura Cardoso, who also enjoyed successful months in international cricket.It is important to mention that this is the third time Laura Wolvaardt has received the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award. Earlier, she had won the honour in October and December last year. Also Read: Suryakumar Yadav Ruled Out Of IPL 2026 Match vs PBKS; New MI Captain Locked