ISLAMABAD: Pakistan skipper Babar Azam was crowned ICC Men’s Player of the Month on Tuesday following a scintillating series of scores last month that included notable run-scoring feats against Afghanistan and a glittering century against Nepal.
Azam was nominated for the prestigious award along with another team member and all-rounder Shadab Khan last week for their outstanding performances. The Pakistan captain’s accomplishment has made him the first men’s player to win the award on three separate occasions, after previous triumphs in April 2021 and March 2022.
Reacting to the development, Azam said he was delighted to be named ICC Player of the Month for August 2023.
“The past month has been extraordinary for my team and I as we have put some terrific performances,” an ICC statement quoted him as saying. “With the Asia Cup coming to Pakistan after such a long time, it was great to play in front of the passionate and cricket-loving crowds of Multan and Lahore. That I scored my second ODI score of 150-plus in front of my own people in Multan doubled the joy.”
“I am looking forward to making the most of the form as we head into an exciting phase of cricket with the backend of the Asia Cup nearing and the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup around the corner,” he continued. “My team and I are eager to bring joy and happiness to the millions of Pakistan fans.”
The Pakistan skipper started the ODI series against Afghanistan quietly last month. However, his form returned in the last two fixtures, where scores of 53 and 60 helped secure the series sweep for Pakistan.
On the back of these strong displays, Azam then saved his best performance for his last August outing – the opening Asia Cup fixture against Nepal in Multan.
At one stage 25 for two, he displayed control and flair in stabilizing the Pakistan innings, before launching a wave of aggressive strokes to propel them to a mammoth 342 score, eventually ending with 151 from 131 balls.
In total, his 264 runs in the month came at an average of 66 and at a strike rate of 92.30.
Azam was also congratulated by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for winning the coveted ICC award.
Pakistan skipper Babar Azam secures ICC Player of the Month award for August
https://arab.news/m4j97
Pakistan skipper Babar Azam secures ICC Player of the Month award for August
- The Pakistan captain has become the first male cricketer to win the award on three separate occasions
- Azam secured the accolade following last month’s dazzling performances, including 150-plus against Nepal
Kuwait welcomes its new PFL MENA champion
- Mohammad Alaqraa, 25, hailed on return home after welterweight title win over Badreddine Diani in Alkhobar
DUBAI: On Dec.15 Mohammad Alaqraa touched down at Kuwait International Airport carrying something he had been chasing for years: the PFL MENA welterweight championship belt.
His arrival came just 10 days after a unanimous decision victory over Morocco’s Badreddine Diani at Dhahran Expo in Alkhobar, Saudi Arabia. It marked a significant milestone for the Kuwaiti fighter and the combat sports landscape in the Middle East.
Greeted at the airport by his father, brother, excited fans and media representatives, Alaqraa spoke about his plans.
“It’s been a long journey, thanks to everyone that came to the airport and past events. Just like I promised I’ll get the MENA championship, my goal is to raise Kuwait’s name in this sport (and) now I promise next time I’ll come back with a world title,” he said.
Alaqraa’s arrival became an impromptu celebration. Fans had phone cameras ready for selfies and videos as he emerged holding his belt.
The championship fight against Diani was a full five-round affair that showcased Alaqraa’s growth. The judges scored the bout 49-46, 48-47 and 48-47 in his favor. Alaqraa had established control through pressure wrestling, fence work, and a steady jab.
The win was sweet after losing by referee’s stoppage to Omar El-Dafrawy in the 2024 PFL MENA Finals.
Alaqraa defeated Omar Hussein and Ayman Galal en route to the 2025 finals, with his semifinal victory over Galal ending in just 21 seconds with an oblique kick, the fastest finish in PFL MENA history.
At 25 years old, Alaqraa now holds a 10-1 record in MMA. His background encompasses multiple martial arts disciplines developed since childhood. He holds a judo black belt and finished first in an International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation tournament before turning professional in 2021.
Since leaving Kuwait at 17 to pursue MMA, Alaqraa has trained at American Kickboxing Academy under head coach Javier Mendez, the gym that has produced champions including Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev.
Alaqraa graduated from San Jose State University with a degree in industrial systems engineering while developing his fighting career.
