In a move that caught many fans by surprise, the International Cricket Council (ICC) did not include any Indian players in the nominations for the Men's Player of the Month award for February 2026. Instead Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan, England’s Will Jacks, and USA's Shadley van Schalkwyk made the cut for the honour.
ICC announces Men's Player of the Month nominees, Pakistan's Sahibzada Farhan top choice
Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan leads the nominations after a historic performance in the 2026 T20 World Cup. Farhan finished as the tournament's leading run-scorer, accumulating 383 runs with an impressive average of 76.60 and a strike rate of 160.25. His prolific run effectively shattered the long-standing record held by Virat Kohli, who scored 319 runs during the 2014 edition of the tournament.
ALSO READ: CSK appoint new fielding coach ahead of IPL 2026 as ex-England wicketkeeper takes up top role
Will Jacks, Shadley van Schalkwyk too make the cut
Joining Farhan on the shortlist are England’s versatile middle-order batter Will Jacks and USA pacer Shadley van Schalkwyk, both of whom played pivotal roles for their respective teams in February. Despite these strong contenders, many cricket enthusiasts have voiced their frustration over the exclusion of Sanju Samson, questioning why his recent contributions were not deemed sufficient by the ICC to earn a spot among the finalists for the prestigious monthly honor.
Will Jacks emerged as a standout performer for England throughout the tournament, showcasing his versatility as a premier spin-bowling all-rounder. He made significant contributions with both bat and ball, accumulating 226 runs at a rapid strike rate of 176.56 and claiming nine wickets. His impact was particularly felt during the high-stakes semifinal against India at the Wankhede Stadium, where he played a quick-fire innings of 35 off 20 balls to support Jacob Bethell’s remarkable century. Despite their valiant chase of India's massive 253-run total, England ultimately fell just seven runs short in what became a record-breaking encounter.
Beyond the semifinal, Jacks delivered under pressure during the Super 8 stage, providing match-winning performances against co-hosts Sri Lanka and New Zealand. His consistency earned him four Player of the Match awards during the competition, equalling the record for the most honors in a single T20 World Cup edition. Furthermore, his prolific scoring from the middle order saw him surpass a 19-year-old record for the most runs scored by a batter coming in at number six or lower in a single tournament.
The United States also made headlines as one of the tournament's most effective underdog sides, largely due to the early-innings breakthroughs provided by Shadley van Schalkwyk. The right-arm pacer was a consistent threat for the American team, finishing with 13 wickets to place among the tournament's leading wicket-takers. Van Schalkwyk’s discipline and ability to swing the ball up front proved instrumental in the USA’s competitive showing against more established cricketing nations.
Van Schalkwyk’s most memorable performance came against the defending champions, India, in their opening campaign match. He dismantled the Indian top order by taking 4 wickets for 25 runs, at one point claiming three wickets in a single over to leave the favorites reeling at 46 for 4.