Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza and Australia’s Tahlia McGrath and were on Monday announced as ICC Player of the Month for August due to their spectacular international performances in their respective categories.
After edging past the leading all-rounders Ben Stokes and Mitchell Santner, who also entertained with their brilliant performance last month, Raza became the first International player from Zimbabwe to win the prestigious award among men.
During the momentous 2-1 series triumph over Bangladesh, the all-rounder scored two superb unbeaten centuries (135 not out and 117 not out), both of which helped his team win while pursuing lofty goals.
Later that month he struck another spectacular century against India.
On top of that, the veteran also threatened batters with his impressive bowling in the shortest format of the game, claiming seven wickets during the month.
On winning the prestigious award, Raza said: “I’m incredibly humbled and honoured to have won the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award from the ICC. It’s even more humbling being the first Zimbabwean to ever win the award.
“I would like to thank everybody who has been in the changing room with me over the past three to four months, namely the technical staff and the players. Without them this would not have been possible. Lastly, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the fans in Zimbabwe and overseas for all your prayers and all your wishes, they are well received and I’m forever grateful.”
Tahlia McGrath, on the other hand, became the most recent Australian player to be named the ICC Women’s Player of the Month.
Despite a number of impressive performances, McGrath’s undefeated 78-run innings in the triumph over Pakistan, which was followed by three wickets and a run out, stands out as her finest effort.
Throughout the month, McGrath totalled 114 runs at an average of 57 and claimed five wickets for an average of 13.40.
In addition to team triumph at the Commonwealth Games, McGrath’s stellar month saw her achieve a career-high ranking of 12 among all-rounders in the ICC Women’s T20I Player Rankings.
On winning the ICC player of the month award McGrath said, “I’m honoured to have been named the ICC Women’s Player of the Month for August given there are so many great players who are at the top of their game at the moment.
“I’m loving being back in the Australian team and being part of some really special moments, including making history as the first women’s team to win a Commonwealth Games gold medal.”
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