DHAKA, Dec 15, 2025 (BSS)- South African spinner Simon Harmer was named the ICC Men's Player of the Month for the first time following his outstanding contribution in South Africa's first Test series victory in India since 2000.

He went past Bangladesh's Taijul Islam and Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz in the process.

Taijul was nominated for his stellar performance in home Test series against Ireland.

Taijul picked up 13 wickets at 26.30 in the 2-0 series win, finishing as the leading wicket-taker. His consistent impact rewarded him with the Player of the Series.

But the 36-year-old Harmer received the honours after taking an incredible combined haul of 17 wickets in the two-match ICC World Test Championship series to help South Africa to a comprehensive two-nil victory, their first Test series victory in India 25 years.

He returned figures of four for 30 and four for 21 in the series opener in Kolkata, followed by three for 64 and a staggering six for 37 in the second match in Guwahati, ending the series with his 17-wicket haul coming at an average of 8.94 and an economy of 1.91.

Harmer said: "It's a privilege to be named the ICC Men's Player of the Month for November.

"Playing for my country is a dream come true and anything else that comes from it as a result is a bonus."

Meanwhile, India's Shafali Verma beat out Thipatcha Putthawong from Thailand and Esha Oza from the UAE for her first-ever Player of the Month award. 

Her success is made all the sweeter because she was drafted into the India Women's Cricket World Cup squad as a late replacement for an injured Pratika Rawal.