The 20-year-old left-arm bowling sensation, Mustafizur Rahman becomes the first Bangladeshi cricketer from his country to make the ICC ODI Team of the Year.

Bangladesh’s ace allrounder Shakib Al Hasan was previously named in the Test Team of the Year in 2009, and Mustafizur made his mark with spectacular spells of fast bowling in 2015, especially against India at home.

His inclusion in the ODI Team of the Year indicates Bangladesh’s progress over the last 18 months, and the fantastic year saw maiden series wins over Pakistan, India and South Africa.

The ICC today announced its Test and ODI Teams of the Year, as chosen by a specially appointed selection panel chaired by the ICC’s Cricket Committee chairman and former India captain Anil Kumble, reports ICC’s official website.

ICC ODI Team of the Year 2015 (in batting order):
 
Tillakaratne Dilshan (SL)
Hashim Amla (SA)
Kumar Sangakkara (SL) (wicketkeeper)
AB de Villiers (SA) (captain)
Steven Smith (Aus)
Ross Taylor (NZ)
Trent Boult (NZ)
Mohammed Shami (Ind)
Mitchell Starc (Aus)
Mustafizur Rahman (Bang)
Imran Tahir (SA)
12th: Joe Root (Eng)

The Chairman of the ICC Awards Selection Panel, Anil Kumble, said: “I would like to congratulate all the players for their selection in the Test and ODI teams of the year. It is an achievement for each of them to be proud of and a recognition for their good performances in the qualifying period.
 
“Team selection is one of the toughest jobs and when you have a large pool of outstanding players to select from in a 12-month period then it becomes even more difficult. It was a particularly busy year, with a series of stellar performances throughout the Test and ODI formats, not least in a hugely successful ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, which has greatly enhanced the popularity and profile of the game internationally.
 
“Testament to the quality of cricket played is the calibre of players to have missed out on selection. While selecting these squads, the selectors considered various combinations and took into account several factors in overall performances.  Congratulations to all of the players on their selections.”

Bangladesh cricketer Mustafizur Rahman (C) celebrates with teammates after the dismissal of Chamu Chibhabha . Photo: AFP