Jay Shah's ICC Rewards Sahibzada Farhan; Pakistan T20 World Cup Hero Joins Historic List

Sahibzada Farhan rewarded by Jay Shah [Source: AFP]

The T20 World Cup 2026 produced some remarkable performances, as players from different nations delivered the goods on the grandest stage. With some quality cricket witnessed in February, three star players from their respective nations were nominated for the Player of the Month award.

Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan, England’s Will Jacks, and the USA sensation, Shadley van Schalkwyk were rewarded with the Player of the Month nomination, and the winner has finally been revealed by Jay Shah's ICC.

The three stars had dominated the proceedings in the T20 World Cup, as Sahibzada Farhan had scored two centuries (against Sri Lanka, Namibia), and also broke Virat Kohli's long-standing record.

On the other hand, Will Jacks produced four Man of the Match performances for England, and the USA pacer, Shadley van Schalkwyk stunned India and Pakistan with back-to-back four-wicket hauls.

Jay Shah's ICC reveals February's Player of the Month winner

The ICC revealed the winner and the Men in Green sensation Sahibzada Farhan bagged the coveted prize for his outstanding T20 World Cup campaign. He finished as the highest run-getter in the T20 World Cup (383), and shattered Virat Kohli’s record of scoring the most runs in a single T20 World Cup edition.

The hard-hitting batter single-handedly carried his team to the T20 World Cup Super 8s, and he finished the tournament with a strike-rate of 160. He became the first male Pakistan player to bag the ICC Player of the Month award since Haris Rauf captured it in November 2024.

Also Read: Fact Check- Is Sahibzada Farhan Releasing A Book On Breaking Virat Kohli's Record?

Sahibzada Farhan's remarkable T20 World Cup performances

In just 239 balls, the opener smashed 383 runs, with a strike rate of 160. He became the first player to smash two centuries in a single T20 World Cup edition.

He started the tournament with a quick-fire 47 off 31 against the Netherlands, and it was followed by a brilliant 73 off 41 against the USA to set the tone for his side. It was followed by a duck against arch-rivals, India.

The explosive batter then roared with a magnificent hundred against Namibia to seal Pakistan’s Super 8 place. In the Super 8, he smashed 63 off 45 against England, and the right-handed batter ended the tournament with yet another century against Sri Lanka.

Sahibzada Farhan joins historic list of Pakistan's ICC Player of the Month Winners

Several Pakistan players have earned the prestigious ICC Player of the Month awards, with Babar Azam leading the charts (3). Recent winners include Noman Ali (Oct 2024), Fakhar Zaman (Apr 2023), and Sahibzada Farhan (Feb 2026).

Babar Azam is the only player to win the award three times (Aug 2023, Mar 2022, Apr 2021). Fakhar Zaman won it after scoring consecutive ODI centuries against New Zealand back in April 2023. 

Noman Ali was awarded the player of the month for taking 20 wickets in a 2-1 Test series win against England in October 2024. Thus, Farhan joined an elite list comprising some of Pakistan's best cricketers in recent times. 

Sahibzada Farhan, a deserving winner?

All three players nominated by the ICC were the deserving winners, but there is a reason why the ICC chose Sahibzada Farhan over Will Jacks and Shadley van Schalkwyk. 

Pakistan’s batting unit failed in the T20 World Cup, and it was only Sahibzada Farhan who delivered the goods, as he single-handedly carried his team to the Super 8.

Moreover, he failed in only a solitary game, and was the most consistent performer.

Will Jacks had support from other English players, and while the USA sensation delivered the goods against India, and Pakistan, his team failed to cross the group stage. Hence, looking at consistency and impact, the Pakistan opener deserved to become the February Player of the Month.

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