Fakhar Zaman wins ICC Men's Player of the Month award for April 2023

Pakistan opening Fakhar Zaman bagged the ICC Men's Player of the Month award for April by pipping other nominees, Prabath Jayasuriya and Mark Chapman.

The 33-year-old was in destructive form during New Zealand's recently concluded white-ball tour of Pakistan. After a modest T20I series, Fakhar Zaman was at his belligerent best in the ODI series, scoring 363 runs at an average of 90.75 and a strike rate of 99.45.

This included a magnificent unbeaten 180 off 144 balls in the second ODI as the Men in Green pulled off their second-highest run chase in history in Rawalpindi on April 29. The hosts chased a daunting score of 337 with relative ease in 48.2 overs, thanks to Zaman's brilliance.

The performance came after an equally incredible knock in Pakistan's run-chase of 289 in the first ODI when Zaman scored 117 off 114 balls.

The destructive left-hander has had an impressive ODI career, averaging 48.43 at a strike rate of 93.27 with 10 centuries and 15 half-centuries.

Despite periods of inconsistencies after his famous match-winning century against India in the Champions Trophy final in 2017, Zaman has found some of his best form in the 2022-23 season, averaging over 70 across eight matches.

With the ODI World Cup in India just around the corner, his form will play a huge role in Pakistan winning the title after 31 years.

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"This month has been one of the highlights of my career" - Fakhar Zaman on winning the Men's Player of the Month Award

Fakhar Zaman's back-to-back centuries against NZ were the highlight of April

Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman spoke about winning the Men's Player of the Month award for his incredible white-ball performances in April against New Zealand.

The flamboyant left-hander scored back-to-back centuries in Pakistan's successful run chases of 337 and 289 in Rawalpindi. The ICC quoted Zaman as saying:

"It is truly an honour for me to be named ICC Player of the Month for April. This month has been one of the highlights of my career and it was an amazing feeling to play in front of my own people in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Karachi. "

He added:

"I really enjoyed scoring back-to-back centuries in Rawalpindi, but my favourite was the 180 not out in the second match.I hope to continue the momentum leading into the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, and make Pakistan cricket fans happy and proud with my performances."

The southpaw overcame stiff competition from the other nominees, Sri Lankan spinner Prabath Jayasuriya and New Zealand batter Mark Chapman.

Chapman had an incredible T20I series against Pakistan, scoring 290 runs in five matches while being dismissed just once at a strike rate of 165.71.

On the other hand, Jayasuriya picked up 17 wickets in two Tests against Ireland in Sri Lanka at an average of 21.76, including two five-wicket hauls.