• Babar Azam aims for his third ICC Player of the Month Award, showcasing extraordinary form with fifties, a century, and record-breaking achievements.
• Shadab Khan’s multifaceted contributions with bat and ball make him a strong contender, instrumental in Pakistan’s victories.
• Nicholas Pooran’s explosive performances in the West Indies’ T20I series win over India earn him the Player of the Series title.

In the quest for excellence, August 2023 saw the emergence of three cricket luminaries, each vying for the prestigious ICC Men’s Player of the Month Award. Among the contenders are Babar Azam, the two-time recipient of this accolade, who seeks to secure it for the third time.

Joining him are Pakistan’s versatile all-rounder, Shadab Khan, and West Indies’ explosive wicketkeeper, Nicholas Pooran. Their outstanding performances have set the cricketing world abuzz, making this month’s selection a captivating spectacle.

ICC Men’s Player of the Month Awards

Babar Azam’s Stellar Performance

Babar Azam, the top-ranked batter in the ICC Men’s ODI Player Rankings, continued to dazzle cricket fans with his exceptional form in August. Despite a rocky start in the first ODI against Afghanistan, where he failed to score, Azam swiftly rebounded with two consecutive fifties. In the second ODI, he collaborated with Imam-ul-Haq to craft a pivotal 118-run partnership, leading Pakistan to a thrilling last-over victory. Babar Azam contributed 53 runs to the chase, solidifying his status as a key player for Pakistan.

Azam’s extraordinary form didn’t end there. He showcased his brilliance in the Asia Cup with a breathtaking 151 against Nepal, earning the title of the quickest player in cricket history to reach 19 ODI centuries. Moreover, his century tally now equals the legendary Javed Miandad and Saeed Anwar, standing at 31 across all formats.

Shadab Khan: Pakistan’s Versatile All-Rounder

Joining Babar Azam on the list of nominees is Pakistan’s star all-rounder, Shadab Khan. August witnessed Shadab’s multifaceted contributions with both the bat and ball, making him a worthy contender for the Player of the Month Award.

In the opening ODI against Afghanistan, Shadab’s crucial 39 off 50 helped Pakistan secure a respectable total of 201. His prowess with the ball was evident as he dismissed Abdul Rahman, contributing to Afghanistan’s collapse for just 59 runs. Shadab’s stellar batting continued in the second ODI, where his explosive 48 off 35 balls earned him the Player of the Match title, ultimately leading Pakistan to a thrilling victory.

In the final ODI, Shadab once again demonstrated his versatility, claiming figures of 3/42 and dismantling Afghanistan’s batting line-up. His consistent form extended to the Asia Cup opener, where he took four wickets against Nepal, showcasing his spin and guile.

Nicholas Pooran: The West Indies Explosive Wicketkeeper

August 2023 witnessed Nicholas Pooran’s explosive performance, particularly in the T20I series against India, where West Indies ended a six-year drought against the Men in Blue.

In the first T20I, Pooran played a composed innings, scoring 41 off 34 balls, propelling West Indies to 149/6. This pivotal contribution paved the way for a thrilling four-run victory over India. His stellar form continued with an explosive 67 off 40 balls, featuring six fours and four sixes, which tilted the game in West Indies’ favor despite a late-game wobble.

While Pooran faced setbacks in the subsequent T20Is, scoring 20 and one respectively, he redeemed himself in the final match with a crucial 47 off 35 balls. This stellar performance secured an eight-wicket win for West Indies while chasing 166, emphasizing Pooran’s value to the team.

With a total of 176 runs at an impressive strike rate of 141.93, Nicholas Pooran emerged as the Player of the Series, solidifying his reputation as a dynamic wicketkeeper-batsman.

Also, see:

Pakistan’s Pace Trio Dominates Asia Cup 2023