The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced its Men’s and Women’s Player of the Month nominees for October 2026 on November 5, recognising six cricketers for outstanding performances across Test, ODI and T20I cricket.
South Africa’s Marco Jansen, West Indies captain Shai Hope and Pakistan all-rounder Arafat Minhas feature on the men’s shortlist, while India’s Deepti Sharma, Bangladesh’s Sobhana Mostary and Australia’s Annabel Sutherland are competing for the women’s award.
While Jansen, Hope and Minhas are all seeking their first ICC Player of the Month awards, the women’s category features three players who have previously received the recognition.
ICC Men’s Player of the Month Nominees for October 2026
Marco Jansen (South Africa)
South African all-rounder Marco Jansen earned his nomination following a strong performance in the Proteas’ 2-1 series victory over Australia. His contributions helped South Africa secure an important result against one of international cricket’s strongest teams, and he was named Player of the Series for his efforts.
Jansen’s ability to contribute with both bat and ball has made him an important member of South Africa’s international setup. His performances against Australia demonstrated his value as an all-rounder capable of influencing matches in different situations.
Shai Hope (West Indies)
West Indies captain Shai Hope has been shortlisted after an outstanding batting display during the T20I series against India in October. The experienced right-hander scored 261 runs in four innings, including two centuries that played decisive roles in West Indies victories.
Hope’s consistency was particularly significant in a competitive series against India. His ability to build substantial innings while maintaining an effective scoring rate helped the West Indies challenge their opponents and secure important results.
The West Indies captain was named Player of the Series in recognition of his performances. His two centuries and impressive aggregate of 261 runs made him one of the standout batters in international cricket during October.
Arafat Minhas (Pakistan)
Pakistan’s emerging all-rounder Arafat Minhas completes the men’s shortlist after producing a series of influential performances during the ODI tri-series involving Pakistan, England and Sri Lanka.
The left-arm spinner contributed 149 runs and claimed nine wickets during the tournament, demonstrating his ability to make an impact in both departments. His performances played an important role in Pakistan’s campaign and established him as one of the competition’s most effective all-rounders.
Minhas delivered a particularly memorable performance against England, scoring 59 runs before taking six wickets for 40 runs. His efforts helped Pakistan secure an 87-run victory and underlined his potential as a match-winning international cricketer.
ICC Women’s Player of the Month Nominees for October 2026
Deepti Sharma (India)
India all-rounder Deepti Sharma has been nominated following an excellent series of performances against Zimbabwe in October. She contributed with both bat and ball across the T20I and ODI series, helping India maintain their dominance against the visiting side.
Deepti’s most significant performance came during the second ODI in Vadodara, where she scored her second ODI century and claimed three wickets. Her all-round display helped India secure a comprehensive 121-run victory and clinch the three-match series.
The left-handed batter also made an important contribution in the opening T20I in Raipur, scoring a rapid 49 to help India establish a strong position. She subsequently collected two wickets during the remainder of the T20I series as India completed a 3-0 sweep.
Her form continued in the ODI series, where she took two wickets in the opening match before producing her century and three-wicket haul in the second encounter. Deepti finished the ODI series with five wickets, complementing her contributions with the bat.
The Indian all-rounder previously won the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award in December 2023 and will be looking to add another individual honour following her impressive October performances.
Sobhana Mostary (Bangladesh)
Bangladesh batter Sobhana Mostary has been shortlisted after producing a historic ODI innings against Australia in Brisbane. Mostary scored 118 runs from 134 deliveries, setting a new record for the highest individual score by a Bangladesh women’s player in ODI cricket.
Her innings included 18 boundaries and helped Bangladesh reach 220/6 from their allotted 50 overs against a strong Australian bowling attack. Although Bangladesh were unable to secure victory, Mostary’s performance was a significant achievement for the national team.
The 118-run knock was the highlight of her three-match ODI series against Australia, during which she accumulated 129 runs at an average of 43. Her contribution stood out despite Bangladesh’s difficulties against the hosts.
Mostary’s nomination follows her previous ICC Women’s Player of the Month success in January 2026. Another victory would further recognise her growing importance to Bangladesh’s batting lineup.
Annabel Sutherland (Australia)
Australian all-rounder Annabel Sutherland has earned a place on the women’s shortlist following consistent performances against Bangladesh and New Zealand during October.
Sutherland played an important role in Australia’s ODI series against Bangladesh, contributing 99 runs and taking six wickets across three matches. Her ability to influence games with both bat and ball helped Australia secure a series victory.
Her strongest performances included a four-wicket haul and an unbeaten 25 in the opening ODI in Brisbane, where Australia recorded a comfortable seven-wicket win. She also played an important role in the final match of the series, scoring an unbeaten 74 and taking two wickets.
Sutherland continued her international commitments during Australia’s T20I series against New Zealand. Across the two completed matches, she scored 19 runs and claimed one wicket, adding to her contributions during the month.
The 25-year-old previously won the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award twice in 2024, including in December. Her October nomination gives her another opportunity to receive the recognition after a productive period in international cricket.
ICC Player of the Month October 2026: Complete Nominees List
| Category | Player | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Men’s | Marco Jansen | South Africa |
| Men’s | Shai Hope | West Indies |
| Men’s | Arafat Minhas | Pakistan |
| Women’s | Deepti Sharma | India |
| Women’s | Sobhana Mostary | Bangladesh |
| Women’s | Annabel Sutherland | Australia |
The ICC will announce the winners following the completion of the award selection process.
