ICC players of the month for April
Pakistan batter Fakhar Zaman was named the ICC Men’s Player of the month for April while Thailand skipper Naruemol Chaiwai was adjudged best in the women’s section after both produced match-winning performances for their countries in the ODIs.
Following a vote among a specialist panel made up of ICC Hall of Famers, former international players, and media representatives who, along with international cricket fans registered at icc-cricket.com, had been voting since the nominees were announced last week, both batters were named as April’s outstanding performers.
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Fakhar wins the monthly award for Pakistan for the first time since Sidra Ameen in November 2022, and he does so after scoring two key match-winning hundreds in Pakistan’s victory over New Zealand in the ODI series.
After a lacklustre T20I series, Fakhar was instrumental in his team’s triumph in the ensuing ODI matchups.
The batter hit 117 off 114 balls in a 124-run opening stand with Imam-ul-Haq to earn a five-wicket victory in the first ODI while chasing 289 in the Rawalpindi encounter.
In the second ODI at the same location, Pakistan accomplished their second-highest successful ODI chase as Fakhar slammed an unbeaten 180 in 144 balls in the face of a massive goal of 337.
ICC players of the month for April
Fakhar commented, “This month has been one of the highlights of my career,” when reflecting on his success. In Rawalpindi, I particularly enjoyed making back-to-back century, but my favourite score was the 180 not out in the second game. In the international vote, Fakhar triumphed over other contenders Mark Chapman (New Zealand) and Prabath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka).
After consistently scoring heavily throughout Thailand’s historic ODI series victory against Zimbabwe, which the hosts won 3-0, Chaiwai celebrates receiving the honour.
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The Thai captain, who led his team to victory in the series, was named Player-of-the-Series for his two undefeated half-centuries.
When she entered the crease in the first game at 21 for 4, her crucial 57 not out saved the hosts’ total, allowing them to skittle the tourists cheaply and win by 78 runs.
Her second crucial contribution occurred in the last ODI. Chaiwai entered the crease at 29 for two in a low-scoring game on a difficult pitch, but her 52 from 60 balls was enough to give Thailand the sweep.
In the subsequent T20I series, Chaiwai again contributed, scoring 55 runs total. Her 29 in the second T20I helped her team defeat Zimbabwe by five wickets.