Harry Tector Beats Babar Azam and Najmul Shanto To Win ICC POTM Men's Award for May
Harry Tector scored his fourth ODI hundred against Bangladesh in May [Source: Twitter]
The International Cricket Council (ICC) have revealed its ICC Men's Player of the Month award for May 2023, which goes to Ireland's young batter Harry Tector. Tector overcame tough competition from Pakistan's skipper Babar Azam and Bangladesh's in-form batter Najmul Hossain Shanto.
Tector was rewarded for his exceptional batting in May, which included a three-match One-Day International (ODI) series against Bangladesh at Chelmsford. The 23-year-old finished the series as the leading run-getter with 206 runs, with one hundred, ahead of Shanto, who slammed 196 runs for Bangladesh, who won the series 2-0.
Tector's fourth ODI hundred came in just 93 balls and went on to achieve his highest score in the format (140) during the second match of the series. The innings included seven fours and 10 sixes.
In the third ODI, Tector scored a quick-fire 45 off 48, in Ireland's five-run loss.
As quoted by ICC, Speaking on winning the award, Tector expressed delight and thanked the coach and captain for their constant support.
Here's what Tector said
"I'm delighted with the Award and would like to thank those who voted for me, however, cricket is a team sport first-and-foremost, so the Award is more a reflection on the performances and progress of the Ireland Men's squad. Without the support of Heinrich [Malan], Andrew [Balbirnie] and the dedicated group of coaches and players I work with, I wouldn't have been able to win this Award,"
Tector is the first men's player from Ireland to win the award, while Laura Delany and Eimear Richardson have won women's awards earlier.
The Dublin-born will be in action for Ireland in the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers 2023 in Zimbabwe starting June 18. Ireland are placed in Group B alongside Oman, Scotland, United Arab Emirates, and Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, the ICC Women's POTM award for May 2023 has been given to Thailand's 19-year-old Thipatcha Putthawong.
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