Published: May 8, 2026 at 4:47 pm
Bangladesh fast bowler Nahid Rana, Oman captain Jatinder Singh and left-arm seamer Ajay Kumar of the United Arab Emirates have made the shortlist for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for April, while South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt, Sri Lanka batter Imesha Dulani and Brazil all-rounder Laura Cardosa are in line for the women’s award.
Rana has made the men’s shortlist following his Player of the Series effort in three ODIs at home against New Zealand, Singh’s performances in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 in Nepal see him make the cut while Kumar made it after a notable start to his ODI career in the same series.
Wolvaardt, who recently won two awards in the space of three months, is in line once again after fine performances in an ODI series against New Zealand and a T20I series versus India. Dulani stood out on an ODI and T20I tour of Bangladesh while Cardosa came into reckoning after a purple patch that saw her become the first player ever to take nine wickets in a T20I.
Men’s shortlist
Nahid Rana (Bangladesh)
Bangladesh’s rising pace sensation Nahid Rana headlines the April 2026 nominees after a match-winning display against New Zealand in the 50-over format. The young quick claimed eight wickets in just three ODIs at an impressive average of 16.75, while maintaining a tight economy rate of 4.46.
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His standout moment came in Mirpur in the second ODI, where he tore through the visitors’ batting line-up with a superb five-wicket haul, returning figures of 5-32. He picked up one and two wickets in the first and third ODIs respectively as well. Rana’s efforts earned him Player of the Series honours as Bangladesh secured a memorable 2-1 ODI series victory.
Jatinder Singh (Oman)
Oman’s dependable top-order batter and skipper Jatinder Singh enjoyed a prolific month in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2. Amassing 266 runs across five ODIs at an average of 53.20 and a strike rate above 115, Jatinder combined consistency with flair in Oman’s Cricket World Cup League 2 campaign.
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His campaign included a composed half-century against Scotland (51), but it was his explosive 130 off just 96 balls against Nepal in Kirtipur that stole the headlines. The knock was a national-record innings that showcased his ability to dominate attacks and anchor innings alike, as Oman beat Nepal and secured important League 2 points.
Ajay Kumar (United Arab Emirates)
Rounding out the shortlist is UAE’s emerging bowling star Ajay Kumar, whose remarkable start to international cricket has turned heads. In just his first two ODIs, Ajay picked up nine wickets at a stunning average of 7.66, with an economy rate of 3.66.
His performances included figures of 3-34 against Nepal and a sensational 6-35 versus Oman, immediately establishing him as a potent force in the UAE bowling attack. Though he featured in a T20I as well, it was his impact in Cricket World Cup League 2 that helped UAE gain important points that secured his nomination.
Wolvaardt, Dulani and Cardoso make the women’s shortlist
Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa)
The South Africa captain and opener, who won the award in October and December last year, continued her fine recent form across the two white-ball formats. The South Africa captain scored 138 runs in two ODIs at an average of 69.00, including back-to-back innings of 69 against New Zealand. She then carried that momentum into the T20I leg, piling up 330 runs in five matches at an average of 82.50 and a strike rate of 168.36.
Her crowning moment in the month of April was in the third T20I against India, when she smashed 115 off 53 balls to guide South Africa to a nine-wicket victory chasing down 192. Her knock was laced with 14 fours and five sixes, striking at 216.98 as she took charge for the Proteas.
Her tally featured a century and three half centuries as she led her side to a commanding 4-1 series win over India as her Proteas side prepare for the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
Imesha Dulani (Sri Lanka)
The Sri Lankan batter accumulated 116 runs in three ODIs at an average of 38.66, striking two half centuries to claim the Player of the Series award in a 2-1 series triumph against Bangladesh where she was the third highest run-getter.
She also made her presence felt in the T20I series, adding 82 runs in two matches, including a well compiled 55 in the opening game, which Sri Lanka won by 25 runs.
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Dulani’s performances have been vital for Sri Lanka as they continue their preparations for the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup starting June 12.
Laura Cardoso (Brazil)
Cardoso scored 203 runs in seven matches at an average of 50.75 which included two half-centuries against Botswana and Zambia.
She claimed 17 wickets at an outstanding average of 2.00 and an economy rate of 2.24 as she made an impact with the ball as well.
Her month was highlighted by a historic spell of 9/4 in her three overs against Lesotho, the best figures recorded in a women’s T20I. Cardoso’s incredible spell began in the second over when the pacer picked up a hat-trick. She followed it up with four more wickets in the fourth over to take her tally to seven.
Two additional wickets in the sixth over saw her reach an unprecedented nine wickets in an innings.
The ICC Player of the Month voting process
An independent ICC Voting Academy and fans around the world will now be invited to cast their votes to decide the winners. Fans are now able to vote for their favourite performers at https://www.icc-cricket.com/
The three nominees for either category are shortlisted based on performances from the first to the last day of each calendar month. The shortlist is then voted on by the independent ICC Voting Academy and fans around the world. The ICC Voting Academy comprises prominent members of the cricket fraternity including well-known journalists, former players, broadcasters and members of the ICC Hall of Fame. The Voting Academy submit their votes by email and hold a 90 per cent share of the vote. Fans registered with the ICC can vote via the ICC website, accounting for the remaining 10 per cent. Winners are announced every second week of the month on ICC’s digital channels.
Voting Academy for the ICC Player of the Month: Afghanistan: Javed Hamim; Australia: Daniel Cherny; Bangladesh: Mazhar Uddin and Mowsumi Alam Mow; England: Chris Stocks and Lydia Greenway; Ireland: Ger Siggins and Clare Shillington; India: Amol Karhadkar and Samreen Razzaqui; New Zealand: Craig Cumming; Pakistan: Sohail Imran and Sana Mir; South Africa: Lynn Buttler and Ashwell Prince; Sri Lanka: Farveez Maharoof and Champika Fernando; West Indies: Daren Ganga and Stacy Ann King; Zimbabwe: Lawrence Trusida; Others: Kyle Coetzer and Rituraj Borkakoty.
