Mohammad Waseem — The Man Who Brought Down Bangladesh became ICC Player of the month

UAE T20I captain Mohammad Waseem has been named the ICC Player of the Month, recognized for his exceptional leadership and outstanding performances with the bat. This is his second time winning the honor, having previously received the award in April 2024.

In May, Waseem led the UAE to a historic T20I series win against Bangladesh in Sharjah. After losing the first match, the home side bounced back to win the next two and clinch the series — with their skipper leading from the front.

Waseem scored 145 runs across the three matches, including a 54 off 39 balls in the first T20I and a match-winning 82 off 42 balls in the second. His explosive 82-run knock played a crucial role in successfully chasing down a challenging target and sealing the series in UAE's favor.

In addition to his T20I heroics, Waseem also played five ODIs in May, scoring 169 runs at an average of 33.80 and a strike rate of 90.37, showing his consistency across formats.

Speaking after receiving the award, Waseem said:

“I’m absolutely delighted to win this award for the second time. I thank the ICC and all the fans who voted for me. This award isn’t just mine — it belongs to the entire team and support staff who have been backing me throughout.”

He added:

“May was a very special month for us. The series win against Bangladesh was a milestone in our cricket history. It proved how far UAE cricket has progressed.”

Waseem’s leadership and performance have done more than win a trophy — they’ve uplifted the spirit of UAE cricket. With the ability to topple top-tier teams, UAE’s place in the international cricket landscape continues to grow stronger under his captaincy.