Bangladesh pace sensation bags ICC Player of the Month award after dismantling New Zealand
Nahid Rana has been named ICC Men's Player of the Month for April 2026 following an exceptional performance that secured Bangladesh's ODI series victory against New Zealand. Rana's eight wickets in three matches, including a crucial five-wicket haul, earned him both Player of the Series and this prestigious monthly award.
Nahid Rana has been named the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for April 2026 after a stunning run of performances that helped Bangladesh seal a memorable ODI series win over New Zealand. The young fast bowler claimed eight wickets in three matches against New Zealand, continuing a remarkable streak after also taking eight wickets in Bangladesh’s ODI series against Pakistan in March. His impact across back-to-back series made him the standout performer among the month’s nominees.
It is the first ICC monthly award of Rana’s career and also makes him the first Bangladesh player to win the men’s honour since Mehidy Hasan Miraz received the recognition in April last year. From tough start to series hero Rana’s series against New Zealand did not begin smoothly. In the opening ODI, he managed just one wicket and leaked 65 runs, but the right-arm pacer bounced back in style in the second match.
He tore through the visitors with figures of 5 for 32 — the second five-wicket haul of his ODI career — removing key batters early and then returning to finish off the lower order. New Zealand were bowled out for 198 as Bangladesh levelled the series. Rana carried the momentum into the decider in Chattogram, taking two more wickets to help Bangladesh clinch the series 2-1.
He finished with eight wickets at an average of 16. 75 and an economy rate of 4. 46, earning both Player of the Series and ICC’s monthly award.