ICC unveils nominees for Men's player of the month award for June

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday announced the nominees for the Men’s Player of the Month award for June 2025, featuring South Africa’s Aiden Markram and Kagiso Rabada, alongside Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka.

South African opener Aiden Markram was included in the list after playing a vital role in the Proteas’ maiden ICC World Test Championship (WTC) title.

Markram demonstrated his all-round ability in the match, first with the ball and then with the willow. He broke a crucial 79-run stand between Steve Smith and Beau Webster in the first innings.

Aiden Markram removed the well-set Smith (66) on the sixth ball of his first over just at the stroke of lunch. Moreover, he also broke Australia’s last-wicket 59-run stand between Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood in their second attempt, which gave them a healthy lead of 74 runs.

After getting out on duck in the first innings, Aiden Markram came back with a match-winning 136-run knock while chasing a challenging 282-run target, hence ending South Africa’s 27-year wait for an ICC trophy.

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Kagiso Rabada spearheaded South Africa’s pace attack in the WTC final, taking a fiery five-wicket haul in the first innings to rattle Australia for a meager total of 212.

South Africa were bowled out for 138 in their first essay, but Kagiso Rabada stood tall again, not letting the defending champions post an imposing total. The 30-year-old turned the match on its head after removing Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green in a short period.

The right-arm pacer took nine wickets in the match, which moved him to fourth position among South Africa’s all-time Test wicket-takers with 336 scalps to his name.

Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka featured in the list based on his stellar performances in the two-match Test series against Bangladesh.

Nissanka started Sri Lanka’s WTC cycle with a career-best in the series opener. He scored a monumental 187 runs with the aid of 24 boundaries and a six, helping his team reach closer to Bangladesh’s mammoth 495-run total.

After Sri Lanka bowled out Bangladesh for 247 in the second Test, the right-handed batter was equally impressive, scoring 158 runs on a turning pitch, which helped the Islanders secure a decisive 211-run lead.

Pathum Nissanka’s heroics eventually helped Sri Lanka clinch the series 1-0 as they defeated Bangladesh by an innings and 78 runs.

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