Pakistan’s captain, Babar Azam, is making a run for the top spot in the ICC Men’s T20I Rankings. Following a strong performance in the recently concluded series against New Zealand, Azam has significantly narrowed the gap between himself and current number one, India’s Suryakumar Yadav.
The thrilling five-match T20I series against New Zealand, which ended in a 2-2 draw, saw Azam emerge as Pakistan’s leading run scorer. Despite the series ending level, Azam’s consistency was a bright spot. The right-handed batsman notched a crucial half-century in the final match, accumulating a total of 125 runs across his four innings at the top of the batting order. This impressive showing propelled him one place up in the rankings, placing him at number four with a rating of 763.
With the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup just around the corner, Azam’s ascent in the rankings holds great significance. He now sits just 98 points behind Suryakumar Yadav, the “Indian dynamo” who has held the top spot since the 2022 World Cup. This tightening race between the two batting maestros promises to be a thrilling watch in the lead-up to the marquee tournament.
Azam’s rise wasn’t the only positive development for Pakistan in the rankings update. Fakhar Zaman, another Pakistani batsman, also made significant strides. His brilliant century (104 runs) in the series saw him jump ten places, landing him a respectable 62nd position in the rankings.
The bowling department witnessed a mixed bag for Pakistan. Left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi showcased his prowess, claiming eight wickets across the four matches. This impressive display propelled him three places to a joint-14th position in the rankings. However, injuries and inconsistent performances saw some other prominent Pakistani bowlers slip down the rankings. Haris Rauf, who missed the series due to injury, dropped to 23rd, while Shadab Khan’s ranking dipped to 26th despite his batting exploits. His bowling performance, unfortunately, didn’t quite match expectations.
New Zealand’s bowling department also saw some noteworthy changes. Left-arm spinner Michael Bracewell’s impactful performances resulted in a massive 13-spot jump, placing him at 55th. Similarly, young pacer Ben Sears impressed, climbing a staggering 29 places to land at the 60th position.
The rankings update also saw a positive development for Pakistan’s Imad Wasim. After rescinding his retirement and returning to the national team, Wasim displayed consistent performances throughout the series. This resurgence earned him a ten-position leap in the T20I all-rounder rankings, placing him at a respectable 22nd position.
With the T20 World Cup on the horizon, these updated rankings paint an intriguing picture. While Babar Azam’s chase for the top spot against Suryakumar Yadav is a captivating narrative, the rise and fall of other players on both sides creates a dynamic atmosphere leading into the global tournament. The upcoming weeks will be crucial as players vie for form and solidify their positions in the rankings, making the T20 World Cup even more anticipated.
