DHAKA,  – Ace allrounder Shakib Al Hasan became only the second Bangladeshi player to be the Player of the Month, an award which is given by the International Cricket Council for the players performance across the cricketing world in every month.

Shakib however was voted ICC Men’s Player of the Month for July 2021. Earlier, Mushfiqur Rahim became the Player of the Month for May. ICC said in a statement that Shakib’s stellar performance across all three formats key in being voted him the Player of the Month for July. Shakib’s contributions to all three formats of the game helped Bangladesh win the series against Zimbabwe last month.

He scored 96 unbeaten runs as Bangladesh defeated Zimbabwe by three wickets in the second ODI at the Harare Sports Club. In the T20Is with the ball, the celebrated took three wickets at an economy rate of seven leading his country to a series win against Zimbabwe. He is also the top Men’s all-rounder in the MRF ICC Men’s T20 Rankings announced earlier today.

Reacting to his award Shakib Al Hasan said: “It is very humbling to be voted ICC Men’s Player of the Month for July 2021. There have been many outstanding performances during the month and that is why this is special for me. “I find most pleasure and satisfaction when I contribute to wins and therefore, I am very happy to have helped in Bangladesh’s successes over the last few weeks.”

Shakib’s has recently become man of the series in the five-match T20 International series against Australia, which Bangladesh won by 4-1. Since this performance came in the month of August, it is not counted.

But it is highly likely that Shakib will be contender for the ICC Player of the Month for August too. Stafanie Taylor of West Indies was voted ICC Women’s Player of the Month for July. Mitchell Marsh of Australia and Hayden Walsh Jr of West Indies are the other two nominees in male cricketer category with Shakib. Hayley Matthews (West Indies), Fatima Sana (Pakistan) figure in the women’s shortlist alongside Taylor.