Babar Azam, Haynes adjudged 'Player of the Month' for March

Superstar Pakistan batter Babar Azam has been adjudged the ICC's Player of the 'Month for the Month of March'.

The 27-year-old stylish batter pipped his Australian and West Indian counterparts - Pat Cummins (Australia) and Kraigg Braithwaite (West Indies- to claim the coveted honour.

Though Pakistan came second best in their historic Test series against Australia last month, Azam asserted his authority with the bat, smashing 390 runs in three Tests at an average of 78 to finish as the third-highest run-scorer of the series.

The right-handed cricketer showcased immense mental grit and tenacity during the fourth innings of the 2nd Test when he scored a patient 19 6- the highest score by a captain in the 4th innings of a Test - to help Pakistan escape with a draw.

He continued his form in the ODI series that followed. In the two games that were played in the month of March, Azam scored a half-century in the first before smoking a match-winning ton in the next. 

Speaking about the decision to adjudge Babar as the winner, member of the voting panel and former West Indies cricketer Darren Ganga cited the performance of the Pakistani skipper across different formats as the reason.

"Babar wins this award not only because of the significant glut of runs scored during the Pakistan vs Australia tour, but also because his success with the bat across formats." 

He added, "Being able to fulfil the burden of expectation as a captain and batter for Pakistan as host to an Australian team visiting after 24 years is a monumental achievement."

Meanwhile, Australian opener Rachael Haynes has been picked as the ICC Women's Player of the Month of March.

Haynes played a massive role with the bat in Australia's unbeaten triumphant World Cup campaign in New Zealand earlier this month.

Haynes, who hammered 429 runs in the 50-over World Cup at an average of 61.28, leapfrogged Sophie Ecclestone (England) and Laura Woolvardt (South Africa) to claim the honour.

"Rachael Haynes has displayed tremendous consistency for Australia," said former Pakistani skipper Sana Mir.

"She set the tone for the tournament with a big hundred in their first game and her contributions throughout the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup set a platform for the other batters to build on. Haynes is a quality batter and a leader in women's game." Mir added.

Australia Women's eventually claimed their seventh 50-over title as they beat defending champions England comprehensively at Eden Park.