Pakistan's Star Batter Becomes ICC Player of the Month for April

image-lhg0n3d7Fakhar Zaman becomes Player of the Month [AP Photos]

Pakistan's opening batter, Fakhar Zaman had a stellar ODI series against New Zealand, and the International Cricket Council (ICC) has rewarded duly, with the Player of the Month Award for April.

He etched past Sri Lanka's Prabath Jayasuriya and New Zealand batter Mark Chapman to bag the coveted award.

Fakhar's memorable performance came in the second ODI against the Kiwis. Chasing a tricky 337, he smashed a quick-fire 180 which helped the Pakistan side take a 2-0 lead in the series. His knock was laced with 17 boundaries and 6 sixes as the target was achieved with 10 balls to spare.

Apart from the blistering knock in the second ODI, Fakhar also produced a stunning hundred in the first match of the series. Chasing 289 in the first ODI at Rawalpindi, the left-handed batter assaulted the New Zealand bowlers and hammered 117 off 114 balls, which propelled Pakistan to a win.

In the recently concluded 5-match ODI series against the touring New Zealand side, Fakhar went past the 3,000-run mark in ODI cricket and now has 3,148 runs, at an average of 49,71.

Here's what Fakhar said after being named ICC Player of the Month

"It is truly an honour for me to be named ICC Player of the Month for April," Fakhar said.

"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.

"I really enjoyed scoring back-to-back centuries in Rawalpindi, but my favourite was the 180 not out in the second match.