File Pic: Nahid Rana celebrates after taking a wicket. (ANI Photo)
Nahid Rana has been named the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for April 2026 after a stunning run of performances that helped Bangladesh seal a memorable ODI series win over New Zealand.The young fast bowler claimed eight wickets in three matches against New Zealand, continuing a remarkable streak after also taking eight wickets in Bangladesh’s ODI series against Pakistan in March. His impact across back-to-back series made him the standout performer among the month’s nominees.It is the first ICC monthly award of Rana’s career and also makes him the first Bangladesh player to win the men’s honour since Mehidy Hasan Miraz received the recognition in April last year.From tough start to series heroRana’s series against New Zealand did not begin smoothly. In the opening ODI, he managed just one wicket and leaked 65 runs, but the right-arm pacer bounced back in style in the second match.He tore through the visitors with figures of 5 for 32 — the second five-wicket haul of his ODI career — removing key batters early and then returning to finish off the lower order. New Zealand were bowled out for 198 as Bangladesh levelled the series.Rana carried the momentum into the decider in Chattogram, taking two more wickets to help Bangladesh clinch the series 2-1. He finished with eight wickets at an average of 16.75 and an economy rate of 4.46, earning both Player of the Series and ICC’s monthly award.‘A series I will always cherish’Reacting to the honour, Rana said the award held extra meaning because it came after delivering against a top side on home soil.“It’s a great feeling to be named the ICC Player of the Month after performing well against a world-class side like New Zealand,” Rana said.“To deliver on home soil made the series even more special. It was a series I will always cherish.”At just 23, Rana’s rise is gathering pace — and Bangladesh may have found their next pace spearhead for the future.
