Bangladesh cricketers Taijul Islam and Mushfiqur Rahim have been nominated for the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s Player of the Month award for May following their influential performances in Bangladesh’s Test series sweep against Pakistan.
The ICC announced the three-player shortlist in a media release, naming Taijul Islam, Mushfiqur Rahim and Nepal captain Dipendra Singh Airee as the nominees for the monthly honour. The nominations recognise performances delivered during May, a month in which Bangladesh secured a two-match Test series whitewash over Pakistan.
The series represented a notable achievement for Bangladesh, who recorded victories in both Tests to complete a clean sweep. The result further extended the team’s successful run in 2026, following victories in two One-Day International series earlier in the year.
Taijul Islam was Bangladesh’s leading performer with the ball throughout the series. The left-arm spinner claimed 13 wickets across the two matches, finishing as the highest wicket-taker of the contest. His most significant contribution came in the second Test in Sylhet, where he took six wickets for 120 runs in Pakistan’s second innings. The spell proved decisive in ending Pakistan’s resistance and helping Bangladesh secure victory.
Taijul’s consistency across both matches enabled Bangladesh to maintain pressure on the visiting side and played a key role in the team’s historic series triumph. His 13 wickets were more than any other bowler in the series, earning him recognition among the ICC’s monthly award nominees.
Mushfiqur Rahim was equally important to Bangladesh’s success with the bat. The experienced batter finished as the leading run-scorer in the series with 253 runs and was named Player of the Series. Across the two Tests, he averaged 63.25 and provided stability and experience to Bangladesh’s batting line-up.
One of the defining moments of the series came in the second innings of the Sylhet Test, where Mushfiqur scored 137 runs. The innings marked his 14th Test century and established a new Bangladesh record for the highest number of Test hundreds by a Bangladeshi batter. His contribution helped Bangladesh build a strong position and ultimately complete the series whitewash.
The third nominee, Nepal’s Dipendra Singh Airee, also enjoyed an impressive month in international cricket. Airee featured in seven international matches during May, including six One-Day Internationals and one Twenty20 International.
Playing in ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 fixtures, the Nepal captain delivered strong all-round performances. He scored 249 runs in six ODIs at an average of 49.80 and a strike rate of 110.66. His batting achievements included a century against the United Arab Emirates. In addition, he claimed eight wickets, underlining his value as an all-round contributor for Nepal.
Bangladesh’s positive form has continued beyond the Pakistan series. In the opening ODI against Australia in Mirpur, Bangladesh secured an 86-run victory under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method after rain interrupted play. The result handed Bangladesh a 1-0 lead in the series and moved the team closer to what would be its first ODI series victory against Australia.
The second ODI is scheduled to take place in Mirpur, while the third and final match of the series will be played on 14 June. Following the ODI leg, Bangladesh and Australia will travel to Chattogram for a three-match Twenty20 International series. The matches are scheduled for 17, 19 and 21 June at the Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium.
The ICC nominations for Taijul Islam and Mushfiqur Rahim highlight the significant contributions both players made during Bangladesh’s successful Test campaign against Pakistan. Their performances were central to the series victory and have now earned them recognition on the international stage through inclusion on the ICC Men’s Player of the Month shortlist.