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
Ravaglia heroics lead Bologna to Italian Super Cup final in Riyadh
- Despite falling behind early, Bologna equalized in the 34th minute before prevailing on penalties
RIYADH: It was a night of shared football culture in Riyadh as Inter Milan and Bologna met in the second 2025/26 Italian Super Cup semi-final. The travelling Inter support brought their drums, colour and constant noise, blending with Saudi Inter fans to create a lively atmosphere inside the stadium.
The match began at a blistering pace, with Inter taking the lead less than two minutes after kick-off. Marcus Thuram powered home from close range after meeting an accurate cross from Alessandro Bastoni to score the opening goal of the night.
Inter immediately searched for a second, with Ange-Yoan Bonny going close in the fourth minute, feinting past Torbjorn Heggem before dragging his effort just wide of the post.
After Inter’s early barrage, Bologna began to grow into the contest, with Jens Odgaard leading much of the offence. Goalkeeper Josep Martinez was called into action to preserve Inter’s advantage.
The energy among Inter supporters continued to build, with fans jumping in unison and lifting their scarves as they urged their side forward in search of a second goal.
That momentum was checked in the 34th minute, when a VAR review resulted in a penalty for Bologna. Riccardo Orsolini slotted the spot-kick coolly past Martinez to bring I Rossoblu back level.
Inter pushed forward after the break as the game opened up, but there was no getting past Bologna goalkeeper Federico Ravaglia, who made four saves in the second half alone.
Hope briefly returned for the Nerazzurri when Bonny was brought down in the box in the 56th minute, only for the initial appeal for a penalty to be overturned following consultation with VAR.
Less than 10 minutes later, the stadium rose to welcome Lautaro Martinez. Brought on alongside Andy Diouf and Davide Frattesi in a triple substitution, Lautaro made an immediate impact but was unable to find the decisive goal before the end of regular time.
Bologna came within moments of snatching a winner in injury time, but goalkeeper Martinez reacted sharply to make a crucial save, sending the semi-final into a penalty shootout.
The shootout began evenly, with both sides converting their penalties before goalkeepers intervened at either end. Nicolo Barella then fired over the crossbar, only for Juan Miranda to mirror the miss moments later.
Inter’s struggles from the spot continued as Ravaglia made his second save of the shootout, before Jonathan Rowe gave Bologna the advantage. Stefan de Vrij converted to extend the contest, but Ciro Immobile struck decisively to send Bologna through.
The Rossoblu will now face Napoli in the Italian Super Cup final at Al-Awwal Park on December 22, after the Serie A champions defeated AC Milan 2-0 in the first semi-final.
