Bangladesh batter Sobhana Mostary has been awarded the ICC Women’s Player of the Month for January 2026 after delivering a string of decisive performances in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier.
The 24-year-old right-hander, who also contributes with right-arm off-break, played a pivotal role in Bangladesh’s unbeaten run that sealed their place at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup later this year. Her ability to combine consistency with attacking intent set her apart during the tournament. Ireland captain Gaby Lewis and USA fast bowler Tara Norris were the other nominees for the January honour.
Key contributions in the qualifier
Operating as the cornerstone of Bangladesh’s middle order, Mostary blended composure with aggression throughout the campaign. Across her first six matches, she amassed 229 runs at an average of 45.80 and a strike rate of 145.85, underlining both her reliability and scoring rate.
Her standout innings came in a must-win clash against Thailand, where she struck a commanding 59 to steer Bangladesh to a 39-run victory. That result officially confirmed Bangladesh’s qualification for the ICC T20 World Cup, scheduled for June and July in England and Wales.
Mostary maintained her momentum with a fluent 47 against Scotland, an effort that helped secure a 90-run win and further highlighted her impact in high-pressure situations. In addition to her batting exploits, she made a valuable contribution with the ball, claiming an important wicket with her off-spin against Papua New Guinea.
While Bangladesh’s dominance in the qualifier reflected a collective effort, Mostary emerged as one of the defining figures of their campaign. As one of the first teams to book a ticket to the T20 World Cup in England and Wales, Bangladesh will take significant confidence from her form heading into the global event.
At just 24, Mostary has demonstrated maturity beyond her years. The ICC Women’s Player of the Month award recognises not only her outstanding performances in January but also her growing influence in international women’s cricket.
