The International Cricket Council has announced the nominees for the ICC Player of the Month award for February 2026. Three players have been shortlisted for the honour after their strong performances in international cricket.
The nominees include Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan, England all-rounder Will Jacks and South African player Shadley van Schalkwyk. Farhan has received the most attention because of his outstanding performance in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
ICC Player of the Month February 2026 Nominees
The ICC selected three players who performed well during February across international tournaments and series.
| Player | Country | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Sahibzada Farhan | Pakistan | Opening batter |
| Will Jacks | England | All-rounder |
| Shadley van Schalkwyk | South Africa | All-rounder |
Among these players, Farhan’s performance during the T20 World Cup has made him one of the strongest contenders for the award.
Sahibzada Farhan’s Outstanding T20 World Cup 2026 Performance
Sahibzada Farhan delivered a remarkable batting performance during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. He consistently scored runs for Pakistan and played a major role in the tournament.
Farhan finished the competition as the highest run-scorer and one of the most impactful batters of the event.
Farhan’s T20 World Cup 2026 Statistics
| Category | Performance |
|---|---|
| Total runs | 383 |
| Batting average | 76.60 |
| Strike rate | 160.25 |
| Tournament achievement | Highest run-scorer |
His aggressive batting and consistency helped Pakistan remain competitive throughout the tournament.
Farhan Surpasses Virat Kohli’s Record
Farhan also created a new record during the tournament by scoring more runs than the previous record held by Virat Kohli.
Kohli had scored 319 runs in the 2014 T20 World Cup. Farhan went past that mark by scoring 383 runs in the 2026 tournament.
T20 World Cup Run Record Comparison
| Player | Tournament | Runs |
|---|---|---|
| Sahibzada Farhan | T20 World Cup 2026 | 383 |
| Virat Kohli | T20 World Cup 2014 | 319 |
This record-breaking performance has strengthened Farhan’s chances of winning the ICC Player of the Month award.
Sanju Samson Not Included in the Nomination List
One point that attracted attention from cricket fans was the absence of Indian wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson from the nomination list.
Some fans expected Samson to be included among the nominees based on his performances in recent matches. However, the ICC shortlist for February only included Farhan, Jacks and van Schalkwyk.
This led to discussions among fans about the selection process for the monthly award.
What Happens Next in the Award Process
The final winner of the ICC Player of the Month award will be decided through the ICC voting system, which includes votes from fans and cricket experts.
The player with the highest number of votes will receive the award for February 2026.
Key Details of the Nomination
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Award | ICC Player of the Month |
| Month | February 2026 |
| Top performer | Sahibzada Farhan |
| Key tournament | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
Cricket fans will now wait for the official announcement of the winner. With his record-breaking World Cup performance, Sahibzada Farhan currently appears to be one of the strongest contenders for the award.



