Bangladesh fast bowler Nahid Rana has won the ICC Player of the Month award for his fine performances against New Zealand in a home series while South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt has picked up her third award in seven months following outstanding efforts in white-ball series against New Zealand and India.

Rana edged Oman captain Jatinder Singh and the United Arab Emirates seam bowler Ajay Kumar to win the men’s award for the first time while Wolvaardt won the women’s award ahead of Sri Lanka batter Imesha Dulani and Brazil all-rounder Laura Cardoso.

Nahid Rana was Player of the Series as Bangladesh defeated New Zealand 2-1.

He finished with eight wickets at an economy of 4.46, the highlight for him being a haul of five for 32 in the second match in Mirpur that Bangladesh won by 55 runs. Rana finished the series with two wickets in the final match in Chattogram. 

“It’s a great feeling to be named the ICC Player of the Month after performing well against a world-class side like New Zealand. To deliver on home soil made the series even more special and it was a series that I will always cherish. I’m grateful to my team-mates for their constant support and belief in me throughout.

I hope to keep contributing to more victories and memorable moments for my team” Rana was quoted as saying.

Wolvaardt was ecstatic after winning her third award in such a short span, her earlier awards coming in October and December last year.

She displayed remarkable consistency across the two white-ball formats that included knocks of 69 apiece in the last two ODIs against New Zealand. She then smashed a century and three half-centuries as South Africa defeated India 4-1 at home.

“It feels incredible to win a third ICC Player of the Month award in such a short span of time, and I hope to continue batting with the same confidence and consistency.

This has been one of the most enjoyable phases of my career and it’s especially satisfying to have achieved success across formats, Wolvaardt said.

“What makes this award even more special is that these performances came against the reigning World Cup and T20 World Cup champions, which is something I truly cherish. I’m grateful to my team-mates for their constant support, and I hope to carry this form into the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup next month in England and Wales,” she added.

Both players were crowned following a vote conducted among global fans registered with ICC and a specialist panel comprising former international players and media representatives.