ICC Men's Player of the Month nominees for May 2026 announced
New Delhi, June 10
A pair of Bangladesh stars and a dynamic Nepal all-rounder on Wednesday have been nominated for the ICC Men's Player of the Month for May 2026 after standout performances with both bat and ball during a memorable month.
Veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim played a pivotal role as Bangladesh secured a thumping 2-0 Test series sweep over Pakistan in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship 25-27 cycle, as per the ICC website.
The experienced right-hander led from the front with 253 runs across two Tests at an average of 63.25. Mushfiqur set the tone with a crucial 71 in the first innings of the opening Test before delivering his defining performance of the series in Sylhet, where he compiled a magnificent 137 in the second innings of the second Test.
His valuable runs and presence on the field earned him the Player of the Series award as Bangladesh completed a memorable second-straight Test series sweep against Pakistan.
Taijul Islam (Bangladesh)
Joining his teammate on the shortlist is left-arm spinner Taijul Islam, who spearheaded Bangladesh's bowling attack throughout the victorious series against Pakistan.
Taijul finished as the leading wicket-taker across the two-Test contest, claiming 13 wickets at an average of 19.61. His standout effort came in the second Test at Sylhet, where he produced a marathon 34.2-over spell to return figures of 6/120 in Pakistan's second innings.
The spinner also contributed useful lower-order runs, scoring 58 runs during the series as Bangladesh sealed a landmark clean sweep.
Dipendra Singh Airee (Nepal)
Nepal's star all-rounder Dipendra Singh Airee earns a nomination after an exceptional month in Nepal's ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 campaign.
Airee amassed 249 runs in six ODIs at an average of 49.80 and a strike rate of 110.66, highlighted by a century against the United Arab Emirates and two additional half-centuries. His impact extended beyond the bat, with the all-rounder collecting eight wickets at an average of 19.12 and an economy rate of 4.52.
Among his standout performances was a superb spell of 4/24 against the United States, underlining his value as one of Nepal's most influential match-winners.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Honestly, I'm a bit disappointed that no Indian player is in the list for May. But looking at the performances, these three definitely deserve it. Taijul Islam's 13 wickets in the series, especially that 6/120 in Sylhet, was a match-winning effort. Bangladesh's spin dominance on home pitches is no joke!
Dipendra Singh Airee is a star in the making! Six ODIs, 249 runs at nearly 50 average, and 8 wickets at 19 economy - that's proper all-round numbers. Nepal cricket is growing so fast, and players like Airee are inspiring a whole generation in the Himalayan region. Would love to see him in the IPL someday. 🏏
Mushfiqur Rahim is a legend - consistent performer for Bangladesh for years. But I feel ICC Player of the Month should sometimes look beyond just Tests. Airee's performances in ODIs were brilliant and more impactful in the global context. Just my two paise! 🤔
What a month for Bangladesh cricket! Sweeping Pakistan 2-0 in Tests again is no small feat. Mushfiqur's 137 in Sylhet was pure class - proper Test match batting with patience and technique. Taijul Islam with 13 wickets is the unsung hero. Meanwhile, Airee is putting Nepal on the map. Great to see cricket growing in South Asia beyond India and Pakistan! 🇮🇳🤝🇧🇩🇳🇵
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.