Fakhar Zaman Bags ICC Men’s Player of the Month Award for April 2023 . Pakistan’s opening batter, Fakhar Zaman, has been named the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s Player of the Month for April 2023. This recognition follows a series of scintillating performances by the in-form batter, who beat out tough competition from Sri Lanka spin wizard Prabath Jayasuriya and emerging New Zealand batter Mark Chapman.
Zaman’s Stunning Month in April
The ICC has stated that Fakhar’s unbeaten 180 against the visiting New Zealand side in Rawalpindi was the standout performance that led to his Player of the Month award. In that match, Zaman led the charge for Pakistan as they pulled off their second-highest ODI run-chase to go 2-0 up in the series. The opener smashed 17 boundaries and six massive sixes, helping Pakistan win with 10 balls to spare in a high-scoring contest.
Back-to-Back Centuries
This was Fakhar’s second ton in as many matches during April, with his 117 off 114 balls helping Pakistan chase down 289 in the first game at the same venue. In both matches, Zaman led the run-chase from the onset, winning the Player of the Match award for his efforts. He was only dismissed in the 43rd over of the second match, by which time Pakistan was well on their way to chase down the winning score.
The Road to Victory
Fakhar started the month with a rapid 47 in the first T20I in Lahore against New Zealand, playing a part in the home side’s thumping 88-run victory. Although he didn’t click in the next two T20I matches, Zaman stormed into form in ODIs, a format he has always thrived in. With 3,148 ODI runs at an average of 49.71 and a strike-rate of almost 95 during his 67-match career, the Pakistan opener expressed his thrill at winning the coveted award.
(Islamabad51-Newsdesk)
