Taijul loses ICC Massera Award to Harmer

Taijul loses ICC Massera Award to Harmer

Harmer was named the ICC's 'Players of the Month' for November on Monday (December 15). He won this prestigious award for the first time, beating Bangladesh spinner Taijul Islam and Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz.

For the first time in 25 years, Harmer took 17 wickets with the ball in a Proteas series win in any Asian country, at an average of just 8.94. Reacting to winning the award, he said, 'It's a great honour for me. Playing for my country is my dream, and getting such recognition is really an added bonus.'

Bangladesh's left-arm spinner Taijul Islam was also in the running to be the best for November. He took 13 wickets at an average of 26.30 in two Tests against Ireland at home. He was the top wicket-taker in the 2-0 series win. The spinner was named Man of the Series with his excellent bowling.

Taijul, who took 5 wickets in the first Test in Sylhet, was even more formidable in the second Test in Mirpur. He took four wickets each in both innings. He also set a record for being the highest wicket-taker in Bangladesh's history in Tests during that match.

Taijul has taken 250 wickets at an average of 31.06 in 57 Tests played so far. He has taken 5 wickets in an innings 17 times. And he has taken 10 wickets in a match twice. The record whose record Taijul has broken is that of Shakib Al Hasan, who took 246 wickets in 71 Tests at an average of 31.72.

Nawaz played an important role in the ODI series wins against South Africa and Sri Lanka at home. After that, he also shone in the tri-nation T20 series organized with Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. He scored 104 runs at a strike rate of 114.28 in ODIs and took 11 wickets in T20Is at an average of just 12.72.