ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s skipper Babar Azam grabbed ICC Men’s Player of the Month as the International Cricket Council (ICC) revealed the latest winners from a host of stellar international performances during the month of August, according to a press release issued here on Tuesday.
By winning the award, Babar Azam became the first men’s player to win the award on three separate occasions, after previous awards in April 2021 and March 2022.
Dynamic Ireland pacer Arlene Kelly clinched the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award after her terrific wicket-taking spells as her side recorded a 3-0 series victory over the Netherlands in the T20 contests. Her bowling spells included a Player of the Match performance in the first outing, where she performed her career-best figures.
Both Babar and Kelly were successful after the votes cast by global fans registered at icc-cricket.com and a specialist panel including ICC Hall of Famers, former international players, and media representatives.
Babar displayed plenty of individual performances recently, including those against Nepal and Afghanistan. During the opening Asia Cup match against Nepal, when Pakistan was 25 for 2, the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy holder displayed his skills while taking his side to a mammoth total of 342, with his blistering 151 from 131 balls.
In total, Babar’s 264 runs in the month came at an average of 66 and at a strike rate of 92.30.
Babar Azam Delighted over Award Win
Responding over the award win, Babar said, “I am happy to be named ICC Player of the Month for August 2023. The last month was extraordinary for my team and me as we have put in some terrific performances. It was great to play in front of the passionate and cricket-loving crowds of Multan and Lahore in the Asia Cup coming to Pakistan. It was a double joy for me to have my second ODI score of 150-plus in front of my own people in Multan.”
In the Women’s category, Arlene Kelly grabbed her first Player of the Month award after her tremendous efforts helped Ireland beat the Netherlands 3-0 in Amstelveen.
