KEY POINTS
- Highest run-scorer of T20 World Cup with 383 runs at a staggering average of 76.60
- First batter to score two centuries in a single global T20 event, surpassing Virat Kohli’s long-standing record
- Pakistan’s first male recipient of the monthly ICC award since Haris Rauf in November 2024
KARACHI: Pakistan’s opening batter, Sahibzada Farhan, has been named the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for February 2026, capping off a remarkable individual campaign at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka.
Record-breaking tournament performance
Farhan emerged as the highest run-scorer of the global event, accumulating 383 runs across seven matches, batting in just six innings, at a staggering average of 76.60. His explosive batting display included two centuries and two half-centuries, underpinned by a blistering strike rate of 160.25.
Along the way, the hard-hitting right-hander etched his name in the record books by surpassing Virat Kohli’s long-standing mark for the most runs in a single edition of the T20 World Cup.
.@RealSahibzada is the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for February 2026🏆
🌟 He topped the run charts at the ICC #T20WorldCup, scoring 383 runs in six innings, including two centuries and two fifties 👏 pic.twitter.com/ZTGBavMVeZ
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) March 23, 2026
First monthly ICC award for Farhan
This marks Farhan’s maiden ICC Player of the Month accolade. He is also the first male cricketer from Pakistan to receive the honor since fast bowler Haris Rauf in November 2024.
Reflecting on the achievement, Farhan expressed his elation:
“It’s an incredible feeling to win this ICC award, especially for performances on the World Cup stage, where fans from all over the world are watching every moment. That makes it even more special.”
“It was truly a tournament I’ll always cherish, and I’m determined to carry this momentum forward in the series and competitions ahead. I’m deeply grateful to my teammates for their constant support and belief in me, this wouldn’t have been possible without them.”
Historic milestones in the shortest format
Farhan made history by becoming the first batter to score two centuries in a single global T20 event, achieving the feat against Namibia and Sri Lanka. His heroics also saw him feature in a record-breaking 176-run partnership, the highest for any wicket in T20I history, alongside Fakhar Zaman.
Despite that monumental stand and a narrow five-run victory over the co-hosts, Pakistan narrowly missed out on a semi-final berth, eliminated on net run rate.
Rise in ICC rankings and team of the tournament recognition
The 29-year-old’s prolific run propelled him to a new career-high rating in the latest ICC Men’s T20I Batting Rankings, where he now sits in second place, a rise powered in large part by his brilliant century against Sri Lanka in Pallekele.
In recognition of his consistency and impact, Farhan was also named in the ICC Team of the Tournament, having registered scores of 47, 73, 0, 100*, 63, and 100 across his seven outings.
