Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah’s stupendous run in the England Test series has been acknowledged by the International Cricket Council (ICC) as the star pacer is among the list of players nominated for August’s Player of the Month award on Monday. Regarded as of the finest pace bowlers across all formats, fast bowler Bumrah is enjoying an eventful summer in the United Kingdom (UK). The star pacer has contributed to the Virat Kohli-led side with the ball and bat against England in the ongoing five-match series.
After a mediocre run in the final of the ICC World Test Championship against New Zealand, Bumrah made his presence felt by scalping nine wickets in the first Test. In India’s epic win at the Lord’s, Bumrah earned plaudits from the entire cricket fraternity for his all-round show against England. Bumrah joined forces with Mohammed Shami and the tailenders stitched a match-changing 89-run stand for the ninth wicket.
While Bumrah is spearheading the Indian pace attack in the bilateral Test series, England skipper Joe Root has been leading the hosts from the front. The England captain is also nominated for the ICC Player of the Month award for August. Root has been England’s go-to man against India in the five-match Test series. The talismanic batsman had slammed centuries in each of the three-Test matches he played against India last month.
Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi is the third player to have been nominated for the ICC men’s Player of the Month award. Afridi had scripted history by becoming the fourth-youngest Pakistani speed merchant to 10 wickets in a Test match. The pacer has joined the likes of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Mohammad Zahid in the special list.
Talking more about the players nominated for the ICC Player of the Month award, Thailand’s Nattaya Boochatham, and Ireland stars Gaby Lewis, Eimear Richardson have also received nominations for the special honour by the ICC. Lewis had become the first Irish player to slam a century in women’s T20Is. Richardson was named the Player of the Tournament in the Europe Qualifiers. Boochatham guided Thailand to a 2-1 series win over Zimbabwe in the T20Is.
