ICC unveils Player of the Month nominees for May

Standout performances from Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, England, and New Zealand earn six cricketers a place on the latest ICC shortlist

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the nominees for its Player of the Month awards for May 2026. The shortlist recognizes outstanding performers from both men’s and women’s cricket. Moreover, these players delivered exceptional performances in international competitions and played key roles in their teams’ success during the month.

The men’s category includes Nepal’s Dipendra Singh Airee and Bangladesh stars Taijul Islam and Mushfiqur Rahim. Notably, all three players enjoyed memorable months and produced performances that attracted global attention.

Dipendra Singh Airee earned his nomination after a series of impressive all-round displays for Nepal. In particular, he showcased his talent with both bat and ball during ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 matches. Furthermore, Airee consistently scored valuable runs and claimed important wickets. As a result, Nepal remained competitive in several key encounters. Consequently, his reputation as one of the country’s most influential cricketers continued to grow.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh spinner Taijul Islam also secured a place on the shortlist. He led his team’s bowling attack in a successful Test series against Pakistan. Throughout the series, the left-arm spinner troubled batters with his accuracy and control. In addition, he extracted significant turn from the surface. Therefore, his wicket-taking performances played a major role in Bangladesh’s dominance.

Joining Taijul is veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim. Likewise, the experienced cricketer enjoyed another productive month with the bat. He played a crucial role in Bangladesh’s success. Moreover, his ability to anchor innings and perform under pressure once again proved vital. Through patience, skill, and experience, Mushfiqur delivered important contributions. As a result, Bangladesh secured several memorable victories.

The women’s shortlist features England’s Lauren Bell, Pakistan’s Gull Feroza, and New Zealand’s Maddy Green. Similarly, all three players impressed with consistent performances and made significant contributions to their respective teams.

Lauren Bell earned recognition after producing strong performances in both One-Day Internationals and T20 Internationals. Furthermore, the English pacer picked up crucial wickets at important moments. As a result, she demonstrated why she remains one of the most promising bowlers in women’s cricket. Additionally, her performances across formats helped England achieve positive results during a busy international schedule.

Meanwhile, Pakistan batter Gull Feroza received a nomination following a remarkable month. She played a leading role in Pakistan’s ODI series victory over Zimbabwe. Moreover, Feroza displayed excellent form with the bat throughout the series. She scored consistently and converted starts into substantial innings. Consequently, her achievements further strengthened her growing reputation in international cricket.

New Zealand’s Maddy Green completed the shortlist. During the month, she produced a series of impressive batting performances. In addition, Green contributed valuable runs in key matches and helped her team remain competitive. As a result, her consistency and composure under pressure earned praise from cricket observers. Ultimately, those performances secured her place among the nominees.

The announcement has generated excitement among cricket fans. As a result, they now have the opportunity to support their favorite players through the voting process. While statistics and performances remain important factors in determining the winners, fan participation adds another layer of engagement to the monthly awards.

Overall, the ICC Player of the Month awards continue to celebrate excellence in international cricket. The May 2026 nominees represent a diverse group of talented athletes. Furthermore, they have delivered memorable performances and inspired fans through their achievements. As voting begins, attention will now turn to which of these six stars ultimately claims the prestigious honors.