Online Reporter
A FIERY speedster from Zimbabwe, an established all-rounder from Bangladesh and a key Kiwi pacer make up the nominees for ICC Men’s Player of the Month for April 2025.
A towering pacer with a whip-like action, Blessing Muzarabani has been phenomenal for Zimbabwe in April 2025, most notably in the Test series against Bangladesh.
The 28-year-old was at his best in the first Test in Sylhet as he dominated the Bangladesh batting unit.
He picked up figures of 3/50 in the first innings, which included the wicket of Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto.
Muzarabani went three better in the second innings as he ran through the Bangladesh batting lineup with figures of 6/72, as his performance guided Zimbabwe to a three-wicket win and helped him secure the Player of the Match award.
Muzarabani also finished as Zimbabwe’s top wicket-taker in the series with 10 wickets across two Tests at an average of 20.50.
A versatile all-rounder, Mehidy Hasan Miraz shone for Bangladesh in the Test series against Zimbabwe.
The 27-year-old was in form in both the Tests played. In the first Test at Sylhet, he was in good touch with the ball as he took back-to-back five-wicket hauls.
He picked up 5/52 in the first innings and 5/50 in the second innings to keep the hosts in the contest, even though Zimbabwe eventually overcame the onslaught to secure a three-wicket victory.
The second Test was one to remember for Miraz as he found his rhythm with both bat and ball.
After Zimbabwe had been bowled out for a modest total in the first innings, Miraz scored 104 off 162 balls in the first innings to anchor the Bangladesh batting effort and further it advantage.
He followed it up with another five-wicket haul in Zimbabwe’s second innings and recorded figures of 5/32 as Bangladesh tied the series with a win by an innings and 106 runs in Chattogram.
Mehidy finished April with 116 runs in two Tests at an average of 38.66 and 15 wickets at an average of 11.86 in a spectacular month for the all-rounder.
Ben Sears was in fine form in New Zealand’s ODI series against Pakistan.
The 27-year-old was on a rampage as he picked up back-to-back five-wicket hauls in the final two ODIs of the series.
In the second ODI of the series in Hamilton, Sears ran through the Pakistan middle order as he claimed the wickets of Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha in a fine bowling performance and finished with figures of 5/59, guiding the Kiwis to an 84-run victory and sealing the series.
In the final ODI in Mount Maunganui, he once again produced a sensational bowling performance as he picked another five-for with figures of 5/34 off his nine overs.
New Zealand secured a 43-run victory and a clean sweep in the ODI series 3-0.
Sears was named Player of the Series as he collected 10 wickets at an average of 9.30 at an economy rate of 5.07 to cap off a fantastic April. – icc-cricket.com/Sports Reporter
