Ireland batsman Harry Tector won the ICC Player of the Month award for May 2023, beating Pakistan's Babar Azam and Bangladesh's Najmul Hossain Shanto.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the winners of the ICC Player of the Month May 2023 awards. In-form batter Harry Tector becomes the first Irish player to win the ICC Men's Player of the Month award, while teenage sensation Thipatcha Putthawong wins Thailand's consecutive Player of the Month award, tying the win her skipper Naruemol Chaiwai in April.

Harry Tector was voted ICC Men's Player of the Month after an impressive month in May, Ireland's first POTM Men's Awards. He edged out stiff competition from Pakistani superstar Babar Azam and young up-and-coming Bangladeshi batsman Najmul Hossain Shanto.

Tector, 23, continued to prove he is the present and future of the Irish side despite the disappointing end to their Super League season.

Tector has enjoyed a sustained streak of batting form in One Day International (ODI) cricket since July 2022, and his recent runs scoring successes have seen him rocket his way up to seventh place in the ICC men's all-time ODI- hit ranking.

Ireland's home series against Bangladesh in May marked the conclusion of the ICC Super League and although Tector failed to secure the win that would have secured them qualification for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in India later that year, they delivered again some eye-catchers from impact demonstrations.

An unbeaten 21 points before the rain started in the first game was followed by Tector's highlight of the month, a brutal career-best 140 in 113 balls that included ten sixes and helped Ireland to an impressive 319 total. They were unable to defend overall, however, and even in losing the final ODI, the Irish batsman made a strong contribution with 45 innings.

“I am delighted with the award and would like to thank those who voted for me. However, as cricket is first and foremost a team sport, the award reflects more of the achievements and progress of the Irish men's team,” he commented on Tektor.

“I could not have won this award without the support of Heinrich [Malan], Andrew [Balbirnie] and the dedicated group of coaches and players I work with.

“While Laura [Delany] and Eimear [Richardson] have won their respective women's awards, this is the first time an Irish player has won the men's award. Whilst it is a personal privilege I believe it won't be long before more Irish players are recognized in this way.

"Thank you very much to the ICC - but I am sure you will understand that this will only be a brief moment of reflection as a crucial qualifying tournament begins in a few days and that is what we will be solely focused on in the coming weeks."