File photo: Naheed Rana celebrates after taking a wicket. (ANI Photo)
Naheed Rana has been named the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for April 2026 after his brilliant performance helped Bangladesh win a memorable ODI series against New Zealand.The young fast bowler picked up eight wickets in three matches against New Zealand, continuing his impressive streak after picking up eight wickets in Bangladesh’s ODI series against Pakistan in March. His performances in back-to-back series made him the featured actor of the month nominee.This is the first ICC monthly award of Rana’s career and he is also the first Bangladesh player to win the men’s award since Mehdi Hasan Miraz won the award in April last year.From rough start to hero of the seriesRana’s series against New Zealand did not start well. In the opening ODI, he could only take one wicket and score 65 runs, but the right-arm pacer bounced back in style in the second match.He tore through the visitors with figures of 5 for 32 – the second five-wicket haul of his ODI career – removing key batsmen early and then coming back to finish off the lower order. The entire New Zealand team was bowled out for 198 runs, Bangladesh leveled the series.Rana carried that momentum to the decisive limit in Chitgram, taking two more wickets to help Bangladesh win the series 2–1. He took eight wickets at an average of 16.75 and an economy rate of 4.46, winning both the Player of the Series and the ICC Monthly awards.‘A series I will always cherish’Reacting to the honour, Rana said the award had extra meaning as it came after delivering against a top team on home soil.“It’s a great feeling to be adjudged the ICC Player of the Month after performing well against a world-class team like New Zealand,” said Rana.“Delivering on home soil made the series even more special. It was a series I will always cherish.”At just 23, Rana’s rise is accelerating – and Bangladesh could have their next pace chief for the future.
