ICC Unveils Player of the Month Nominees for February 2026
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has revealed the shortlist for the ICC Men's Player of the Month award for February 2026, featuring standout performers from the recent T20 World Cup and other international fixtures. The nominees include Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan, England all-rounder Will Jacks, and United States fast bowler Shadley van Schalkwyk.
Men's Nominees Highlight T20 World Cup Excellence
Sahibzada Farhan from Pakistan emerged as a batting powerhouse during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. In seven T20 Internationals, he amassed 383 runs at an impressive average of 76.60 and a strike-rate of 160.25. Farhan broke Virat Kohli's record for the most runs in a single edition of the T20 World Cup and became the first player to score two centuries in one tournament, achieving this feat against Namibia and Sri Lanka.
Will Jacks of England showcased his all-round prowess, contributing significantly to his team's journey to the semifinals. He scored 192 runs at a strike-rate of 173.21 and took 11 wickets with an economy rate of 8.04 across nine T20Is. Jacks' performances earned him four Player of the Match awards, underscoring his impact on the field.
Shadley van Schalkwyk from the United States was a key figure in the bowling department, finishing with 13 wickets at an economy rate of 6.80 in just four matches at the T20 World Cup. He led the initial group stage as the top wicket-taker, with notable performances including four for 25 against both India and Pakistan, followed by three for 21 against the Netherlands.
Women's Nominees Recognized for International Success
In the women's category, the ICC has shortlisted Sri Lanka batter Harshitha Samarawickrama, Pakistan captain Fatima Sana, and India seam bowler Arundhati Reddy for their outstanding contributions in February.
Harshitha Samarawickrama played a pivotal role in Sri Lanka's ODI series victory in the West Indies, scoring 171 runs at an average of 57.00 and a strike-rate of 60.85 in three matches. Her knocks of 66, 35, and 70 made her the leading run-scorer in the series, helping secure a 2-1 win.
Fatima Sana demonstrated her all-round capabilities for Pakistan, scoring 57 runs in two ODIs against South Africa at a strike-rate of 126.66 and taking two wickets. In T20Is, she was the top scorer with 90 in the first match and an unbeaten 47 in the third, along with two wickets, highlighting her versatility.
Arundhati Reddy was instrumental in India's T20I series win in Australia, finishing as the leading wicket-taker. She took four for 22, two for 30, and two for 35 in the three matches, ending with an average of 10.87 and an economy rate of 7.25, which played a crucial role in India's 2-1 series margin.
All three men's nominees were also featured in the ICC Team of the Tournament announced at the end of the T20 World Cup, with van Schalkwyk named as the 12th player. The ICC Player of the Month awards celebrate exceptional performances across international cricket, with winners to be announced soon based on these nominations.
