Lauren Bell & Mushfiqur Rahim named ICC Players of the Month for May 2026

England fast bowler Lauren Bell and Bangladesh batter Mushfiqur Rahim have been named ICC Players of the Month for May. The pair both had excellent months on a personal level, which rubbed off on their respective teams, achieving great things last month.

Bell finished ahead of New Zealand’s Maddy Green and Gull Feroza from Pakistan to win her maiden ICC’s monthly honour. The right-arm pace bowler was England’s best-performing player, which helped them secure two T20I series on home soil, against the White Ferns and India.

She took a total of eight wickets in May for the Lionesses at an economy of 7, with her best performance coming against India in Chelmsford, ending with figures of 3 for 34. She now forms part of the England squad competing at the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup.

“I’m delighted to win this award. Performing well in front of home crowds is always fun and hugely satisfying. Playing for England is a huge honour and I am just proud to be able to contribute to our team!  Women’s cricket has been growing at an incredible pace, and the fantastic crowds at the Women’s T20 World Cup really highlight that progress. The support from fans has been amazing, and I hope to give them more to cheer over the next few weeks,” Lauren Bell said, via ICC’s website.

Mushfiqur Rahim named Men’s Player of the Month for May

Former Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim has been named the ICC’s Men’s Player of the Month for May after stellar performances with that during his side’s two-match Test series at home to Pakistan, where the Tigers won 2-0.

Rahim, 39, went on to score 253 in the series at an average of 63.25. This included a century in the second Test match in Sylhet, hitting 137 in the second innings, his 14th hundred in the longest format of the game.

It is worth mentioning that Rahim previously won the ICC Player of the Month award back in May of 2021. Five years later, he toppled his Bangladesh teammate Taijul Islam and Nepal all-rounder Dipendra Singh Airee to take home the accolade.

“It is a great honour to be named the ICC Player of the Month once again, and I am especially pleased that this recognition has come for my performances in Test cricket. My teammate Taijul also played a big part in our memorable series win over Pakistan, one which we will all cherish for long. Our victory has also helped us climb the ICC World Test Championship standings, making the achievement even more significant for the team. I am grateful to my team-mates and support staff for their support, and I look forward to contributing further to Bangladesh’s success in the months ahead,” Rahim said on the ICC website.

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