Pakistan’s cricket captain Babar Azam has ascended to third place in the ICC T20I Rankings for batters, following the latest update from the International Cricket Council (ICC). Azam’s consistent performance has seen him move up one spot, solidifying his position among the world’s elite T20I batters.
Conversely, wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan has slipped one place to fourth in the rankings. The fluctuations in rankings reflect the dynamic nature of international cricket, where form and performance are continually reshaping the leaderboard.
Mixed Outcomes for Pakistani Bowlers
The latest ICC update brought mixed results for Pakistan’s bowlers. Pacer Shaheen Afridi has fallen one spot to 12th in the ICC Bowlers’ rankings, while fellow pacer Haris Rauf has dropped two places to 26th. However, there is good news for spinner Imad Wasim, who has leaped five spots to 34th, showcasing his growing prowess on the field.
Meanwhile, Amir has made a significant jump of 65 spots, landing at 82nd, and Naseem has moved up 21 spots to share the 43rd position on the list of bowlers. These improvements highlight their recent impactful performances and potential for future contributions.
Changes in All-Rounder Rankings
In the T20I all-rounder rankings, Imad Wasim has also improved, moving up one spot to 11th. However, Shadab Khan has experienced a decline, falling three places to 14th. This reshuffling emphasizes the ongoing competition and the need for consistent performances to maintain or improve rankings.
Global Shifts: Mohammad Nabi Tops All-Rounder Rankings
The ICC press release also spotlighted the rise of veteran Mohammad Nabi, who has climbed to the top of the T20I all-rounder rankings. Nabi’s recent two-wicket haul against New Zealand in Guyana propelled him two places up to the No. 1 spot. Australia’s Marcus Stoinis has risen three places to second, while former No. 1 Shakib Al Hasan has dropped four spots to fifth amid significant changes at the top.
Afghanistan and India Shine
Afghanistan’s impressive start to the T20 World Cup has not gone unnoticed. Opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz, the leading run-scorer of the tournament with 156 runs from two innings, has surged eight places to 12th, reaching a new career-high rating for T20I batters. Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan and Fazalhaq Farooqi have also made notable progress, moving up to third and equal fourth, respectively, in the bowlers’ rankings, alongside South Africa’s Anrich Nortje.
India’s Suryakumar Yadav continues to lead the T20I batter rankings, maintaining a substantial margin over his peers. Within the top 10, England’s Jos Buttler (up two spots to fifth), West Indies’ Brandon King (up one to seventh), and Australia’s Travis Head (up six to 10th) have all made significant gains following strong starts to the tournament.
Conclusion
The latest ICC T20I rankings update underscores the fluctuating fortunes of international cricketers, with Pakistani players experiencing both gains and losses. As the T20 World Cup progresses, these rankings will continue to evolve, reflecting the ongoing battles and performances on the field.
