Double delight for Shakib 

Bangladesh premier all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has reclaimed the top spot in the ICC T20I all-rounder rankings and was also voted the ICC player of the month for July after Bangladesh completed a series sweep across formats away to Zimbabwe last month and followed it up with their first-ever bilateral series win against Australia this month.

Shakib's stellar performance in the Zimbabwe series last month earned him the player-of-the-month award while his exploits in the five-match T20I series against Australia this month saw him reclaim the top all-rounder spot in T20Is for the first time since October 2017.

Reacting to the player-of-the-month award, Shakib was quoted as saying in a press release by ICC: "It is very humbling to be voted ICC Men's Player of the Month for July 2021. There have been many outstanding performances during the month and that is why this is special for me.

"I find most pleasure and satisfaction when I contribute to wins and therefore, I am very happy to have helped in Bangladesh's successes over the last few weeks."

Meanwhile, ace left-arm paceman Mustafizur Rahman, who was pivotal during the Tigers' 4-1 series win over Australia, gained 20 slots and moved into the top 10 of the T20I bowling rankings. He is now ranked 10 in the list with 619 rating points while Mohammad Saifuddin (up 26 places to 43rd) and Nasum Ahmed (up 103 places to 66th) are among the others to make headway.

Shakib, who was placed second in the T20I all-rounder rankings with 241 rating points before Bangladesh's series against Australia, has toppled Mohammad Nabi for the top spot. 

Shakib now remains in the top position with 286 rating points while Nabi is just behind him with 285 points. The 34-year-old Bangladesh all-rounder has also gained three slots to reach 53rd among batters and advanced six slots to reach 12th position among bowlers.

Bangladesh T20I skipper Mahmudullah Riyad has gained two slots and is now in the 33rd position.

Shakib was adjudged player-of-the-series against Australia for his all-round performance -- scoring 114 at an average of 22.80, most by a Bangladeshi in the series, and scalping seven wickets in five games. 

Shakib also made a unique record in the series as he became the only cricketer to reach the double of 100 wickets and 1000 runs in T20Is. In doing so, he also became the first Bangladeshi and only the second player ever to reach the 100-wicket milestone in T20Is. 

Mustafizur, meanwhile, was rewarded for his exceptional display with the ball in the Australia series as the left-armer finished with seven wickets from five games, bowling at an economy rate of 3.52 -- the least among bowlers of the two sides.