The world's best Test batsman Joe Root has been nominated for the ICC Men's Player of the Month award for August. In the recent Test series against India, Joe Root has been in superb form. The right-hand batsman’s magnificent first-innings century aided England's huge victory over India at Leeds. The England captain will be a strong contender for the award. Pakistan's Shaheen Shah Afridi and India's Jasprit Bumrah are the other two candidates. Both of the fast bowlers have performed well for their respective national teams. Let's have a look at the ICC Men's Player of the Month Nominees for August 2021.
Who are the Finalists for the August ICC Men's Player of the Month award?
Shaheen Shah Afridi, Joe Root, and Jasprit Bumrah were all performed well in the longer version format in the last month. That's why they have been nominated for the ICC Men's Player of the Month award for August. Let's take a look at how they did in August.
Shaheen Shah Afridi (Pakistan)
Test: 2 | Wkts: 18 | BBI: 6/51 | Econ: 2.76 | Ave: 11.27
Left-arm bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi was on fire during Pakistan's Test series against the Windies last month. He grabbed 18 wickets in four innings with an incredible 11.27 average. Pakistan needed to win the second match of the two-match series to level the series. Shaheen Afridi rose to the occasion and took ten wickets for his team. Pakistan won by 109 runs and drew the Test series against the Windies at 1-1.
Shaheen was named player of the match as well as player of the series. Shaheen Shah Afridi is a strong contender for the ICC Player of the Month award after his impressive showing with the ball against the Caribbean side.
Read Right man, right decision, right time
Joe Root (England)
Test: 3 | Runs: 507 | HS: 180* | 100s: 3 | Ave: 126.75
England's captain Joe Root has been in excellent form this year. He has continued to impress with the bat in the ongoing Test series against India. Last month, the right-handed middle-order batsman hammered three hundred against India.
Root was crucial to England's victory in the third match, as his 121-run first-innings knock helped England to a big lead over India. England finally won by an innings and 76 runs, bringing the series to a 1-1 draw. Joe Root is without a doubt one of the leading contenders for the award since his individual performance is absolutely remarkable.
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Jasprit Bumrah (India)
Test: 3 | Wkts: 14 | BBI: 5/64 | Econ:2.60 | Ave:20.07
Right-handed medium-pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been India's key strike bowler in recent years. He has the ability to make important breakthroughs. Bumrah can disrupt the opposition batting order with his accuracy and swinging deliveries. Bumrah is leading India's bowling arsenal in the present series against England. He got 14 wickets in five innings in the month of August.
Bumrah took the most wickets for India in the series-opening match at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. He got 9 wickets in the match. Overall, Jasprit Bumrah's performance for India in August was impressive, and he is a strong candidate for the ICC Men's Player of the Month award.
Read ENG vs. IND 2021: English Openers Set Up Final Day Thriller Against India
Verdict
Shaheen Shah Afridi is the frontrunner to win the ICC Men's Player of the Month award for August following his fantastic bowling performance against the Windies in the longer-version bilateral contest. The left-arm bowler made the most noteworthy contribution to Pakistan's national team in the Test series against the Windies. Meanwhile, English skipper Joe Root has been the standout player for the host in the series against India. On the other side, Jasprit Bumrah has been spearheading the Indian bowling attack in the crucial Test series against England. Overall, it will be a difficult decision to make. Hopefully, the award will go to the most worthy contender.