India’s Shafali Verma has been named last month’s best female cricketer.
Simon Harmer, who played a pivotal role in South Africa’s historic Test series win in India, received a remarkable recognition, being named ICC Player of the Month. In the battle for November’s top spot, he edged out Bangladesh’s Taijul Islam and Pakistan’s Mohammad Nawaz.
The world cricket governing body announced the best male and female cricketers of the month on Monday. Shafali Verma emerged as the top female player, defeating Thailand’s left-arm spinner Puttarang and UAE all-rounder Ayesha, thanks to her outstanding performances.
Harmer was the hero of South Africa’s first Test series win in India in 25 years. Across the two Tests in Kolkata and Guwahati, he took 17 wickets at an average of 8.94. After claiming eight wickets in the first Test, he picked up nine in the second, including six for 37 in the second innings, helping bowl India out for 140.
Taijul shone with the ball in the Test series against Ireland, finishing as the highest wicket-taker with 13 wickets at an average of 26.30 across two matches. In the second Test in Mirpur, he took four wickets in each innings, setting a record for the most Test wickets by a Bangladeshi bowler. Bangladesh won the series 2-0.
Despite this, his performance was not enough to win the Player of the Month award.
Shafali Verma, on the other hand, won the award after playing just one match in November. She delivered a stellar performance, playing a key role in India’s first Women’s ODI World Cup victory.
Joining the team ahead of the semi-finals of the global tournament, she smashed 87 runs off 78 balls at a strike rate of 111.53 against South Africa in the final. She later contributed with the ball, taking two crucial wickets in seven overs for 36 runs.
