The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the finalists for the Women’s Player of the Month award for February 2026. The shortlist features three prominent performers from the Asian circuit: Indian pace bowler Arundhati Reddy, Pakistan’s captain Fatima Sana, and Sri Lankan top-order batter Harshitha Samarawickrama.
Women's Player of the Month nominees announced
Each nominee has been recognised for their standout contributions to their respective national sides during a month of high-stakes international competition.
Arundhati Reddy earned her spot on the list after spearheading the Indian bowling attack during a historic 2-1 T20I series victory on Australian soil. The right-arm seamer finished as the leading wicket-taker of the series, claiming eight wickets at a remarkable average of 10.87 and an economy rate of 7.25. Her ability to consistently break partnerships proved vital in dismantling a formidable Australian batting order in their own backyard.
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India's Arundhati Reddy makes the cut
Throughout the series, Reddy delivered match-defining performances that kept the opposition under constant pressure. She recorded impressive figures of 4 for 22, 2 for 30, and 2 for 35 across the three fixtures, showcasing her reliability in various match situations. Her knack for providing breakthroughs at critical junctures was a decisive factor in securing India’s landmark series win, making her a strong contender for the monthly honor.
Fatima Sana, Harshitha Samarawickrama in the list too
Pakistan's captain Fatima Sana emerged as a standout performer during her side's tour of South Africa, delivering exceptional all-round contributions despite Pakistan narrowly conceding both the ODI and T20I series 2-1. Sana’s leadership and individual brilliance were particularly evident in the T20I leg, where she finished as the leading run-scorer with 146 runs at a staggering average of 73.00 and an explosive strike rate of 184.81.
The hallmark of her tour was a record-breaking performance in the first T20I, where she walked in at number eight and smashed 90 runs off just 41 deliveries. This historic innings included seven sixes—the most by any Pakistani woman in a T20I, and rescued her team from a precarious position. She maintained this momentum throughout the series, concluding the tour with a Player of the Match performance in the third T20I, where she struck an unbeaten 47 and claimed bowling figures of 2 for 12.
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Sana’s impact extended to the 50-over format as well, where she continued to anchor the middle order and provide vital breakthroughs with the ball. She recorded a crucial half-century in the second ODI and finished the tour with a combined tally of six wickets across both formats. Her consistent ability to influence the game with both bat and ball has rightfully earned her a nomination for the ICC Women’s Player of the Month for February 2026.
Sri Lanka’s Harshitha Samarawickrama earned her nomination following a highly productive tour of the Caribbean, where she played a central role in her team's 2-1 ODI series victory over the West Indies. The left-handed batter proved to be the backbone of the Sri Lankan top order, navigating challenging conditions to finish as the leading run-scorer of the series. Throughout the three-match assignment, she accumulated 171 runs at a robust average of 57.00.
Samarawickrama’s success was defined by her remarkable consistency at the crease, providing the stability necessary for her side to secure the series win. She recorded vital scores of 66, 35, and 70, ensuring that Sri Lanka remained competitive in every fixture.