The International Cricket Council announced the three finalists for the ICC Player of the Month for May 2022. The veteran batter from Bangladesh, Mushfiqur Rahim, is one of the nominees for the coveted individual award. Sri Lankans Angelo Mathews and Asitha Fernando are the other two candidates. All three candidates had a great outing in the Bangladesh-Sri Lanka Test series 2022 in the month of May. Let's take a look at how these players performed in the month of May. ICC Player of the Month for May 2022: Who has a Strong Chance of Winning the Award? Nominated players - Mushfiqur Rahim, Angelo Mathews and Asitha Fernando all had significant contributions to their respective teams in the recently concluded Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka Test series 2022. Mushfiqur Rahim was the top performer for Bangladesh, while Angelo Mathews and Asitha Fernando played key roles in winning the series for Sri Lanka. Mushfiqur Rahim (Bangladesh) Test: 2 | Runs: 303 | Ave: 151.50 | HS: 175* | 100s: 2 Mushfiqur Rahim made two centuries in the month of May during the Test series against Sri Lanka. Rahim completed his 5,000 Test runs during the first Test in Chattogram, becoming the first Bangladesh player to do so. He also made a hundred (105) and a 165-run partnership with Litton Das in the first innings of the first Test. Their effort helped the hosts to take a good first innings lead over the visitors. Read Shakib Al Hasan's Captaincy Record in Test Cricket: An Overview Mushfiqur also played an unbeaten 175*-run innings in the first innings of the second Test and, more importantly, his record-breaking 272-run stand with Litton Das for the sixth wicket helped Bangladesh to make a strong comeback in the first innings. Bangladesh lost the series 1-0 to Sri Lanka, so Mushfiqur's chance of winning the award is slimmer than the other two nominees because of that. Angelo Mathews (Sri Lanka) Test: 2 | Runs: 344 | Ave: 172.00 | HS: 199 | 100s: 2 Angelo Mathews had a magnificent Test series against Bangladesh last month. He played a brilliant 199-run knock in the first innings of the first Test, which helped Sri Lanka put up a commendable total. However, Mathews's contribution in the second Test is even better. His 199-run partnership with Dinesh Chandimal on the sixth wicket helped Sri Lanka to take more than a 100-run lead over Bangladesh in the first innings of the series-decider match. Mathews was unbeaten with 145* runs. Sri Lanka went on to win the match by 10 wickets. Read ENG vs NZ First Test 2022: England Seize Control of Series Opening Match The experienced Angelo Mathews was the heart of the Lankan batting line-up in the Bangladesh series, and it was thanks to his contributions with the bat that they were able to defeat the hosts. Therefore, Mathews is the big favourite to win the award. Asitha Fernando (Sri Lanka) Test: 2 | Wkts: 13 | Ave: 16.61 | BBI: 6/51 | 5W: 1 Asitha Fernando stunned everyone by showing discipline and an effective bowling performance against Bangladesh in the Test series. Fernando had shown his talent by picking up three wickets in the first match, but it was his performance in the second Test that caught the eyes of everyone. Read Joe Root Reaches 10,000 Runs Milestone as England win First Test Against New Zealand In the first innings of the second match, Asitha and Kasun dismantled Bangladesh's batting order by picking up 9 wickets between them, with Asitha taking four of them. Asitha was even more destructive in the second innings, picking up 6 wickets and helping his team bowl Bangladesh out for only 169 runs. The target was only 29 for the Lankans, which they comfortably chased down without losing a wicket. Asitha Fernando is a strong contender for the award. Verdict The three players nominated for the ICC Player of the Month for May 2022 are all deserving candidates. Angelo Mathews, who was the most impactful player in the Bangladesh-Sri Lanka series, seems to have a better chance of winning it. Mathews was the winner of the Player of the Series award, which may give him an edge over other nominees. Asitha Fernando, who was the most troublesome bowler for Bangladesh's batting line-up, also has a strong chance to win the award. Mushfiqur Rahim was Bangladesh's best player during the Sri Lanka series. It won't come as a surprise if Mushfiqur outbids the other two for this honor.  Read Tamim, Siddons among group off to West Indies tonight

Angelo Mathews hit an unbeaten century on Sunday to guide Sri Lanka to comfortably finish at 258-4 the first day of the first Test against Bangladesh in Chattogram. Bangladesh bagged two wickets in the opening session at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, but in the post-lunch session, Sri Lanka held firm without losing any more wicket despite some good bowling from Bangladesh. After losing two wickets for 66 runs, Kusal Mendis and Mathews added 92 runs to the board which eventually helped Sri Lanka to put up a good total. Also read: Nayeem takes two as Sri Lanka post 73/2 at day 1 lunch Mendis fell after hitting a fifty, but Mathews showed his grit on way to his 11th Test tome on a wicket that looked good to bat on. He ended the day on an unbeaten 114 off 213 with 14 fours and one six. It was his first century in 12 innings. His last ton came up against England in Galle in 2021. “It was a very good wicket, so somebody had to go big and bat for long,” Mathews told the broadcaster. “On a placid wicket like this, first innings total is important. Bangladesh bowled well, it wasn't easy for us to go big. I hope it will turn on day 3 and day 4.” Also read: Sri Lanka opt to bat first in Chattogram Test Along with Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal also remained not out for 34. For Bangladesh, Nayeem Hasan bagged two wickets while Shakib Al Hasan and Taijul Islam scalped one wicket each.

Angelo Mathews made a maiden double century to drive Sri Lanka to 515-9 declared and a lead of 157 runs over Zimbabwe in the first test on Wednesday.