The ICC Women’s Player of the Month nominees for January 2026 perfectly capture the spirit of a fiercely competitive start to the year. The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier took place in January-February 2026, and it played a crucial role to fill these spots, three cricketers stood out for their consistency, leadership and match-winning impact.
Gaby Lewis (Ireland)
Ireland captain Gaby Lewis once again showed that she is the heartbeat of her team. Leading from the front in the high-pressure Global Qualifier, Lewis delivered with both the bat and her leadership led Ireland sealed qualification for the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. In six T20Is in January, the right-hand batter scored 251 runs at a strike rate of 124.87. Her standout knock of 73 against Bangladesh, highlighted her fighting spirit and ability to anchor the innings. She finished the qualifier as the highest run-scorer with 276 runs. She remained calm under pressure and showed aggression when it was needed, her performances were one of key elements in Ireland’s journey to qualification.
Sobhana Mostary (Bangladesh)
Bangladesh dominated the qualifiers as they remained unbeaten, and Sobhana Mostary was right at the centre of that success. The 24-year-old right-hand batter combined elegance with controlled aggression, becoming the backbone of Bangladesh’s batting line-up. In her first six matches of the tournament, she scored 229 runs at an impressive average of 45.80 and a strike rate of 145.85. Her 59 against Thailand set the tone, and she followed it up with a fluent 47 against Scotland. Beyond her batting, the off-spinner also chipped in with a wicket against Papua New Guinea. These numbers show her consistency and versatility that helped Bangladesh become one of the first teams to secure their place at the T20 World Cup in England.
Tara Norris (USA)
Although the USA narrowly missed out on qualification, Tara Norris made sure she gave everything and performed for her team. The 27-year-old left arm pacer was the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, finishing with 15 wickets overall. In January alone, she picked up 11 wickets in five T20Is, including three-wicket hauls against Namibia, Ireland and Thailand. Her most impressive spell came against Ireland, where she delivered brilliant figures of 3/10 in four overs. Norris also added 39 runs with the bat, showing her all-round value. Her sharp swing, control and ability to bring breakthroughs in crucial moments made her one of the most impactful bowlers of the month.
From Ireland’s inspiring qualification to Bangladesh’s unbeaten dominance and USA’s fighting spirit, January 2026 highlighted the growing depth in women’s cricket worldwide. Whether it was Lewis’ leadership, Mostary’s consistency, or Norris’ wicket taking brilliance, each nominee left a strong mark on the global stage.
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