Babar, Rizwan maintain spots in T20I rankings despite India’s surge

Pakistan’s batting stars Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan held onto their positions in the ICC’s latest T20I rankings update on Wednesday. Babar remains at number four with a rating of 755, while Rizwan stays at number five with a rating of 746.

The biggest climbers in the rankings hail from India, who recently dominated Zimbabwe in a 4-1 T20I series win. As a result, India’s Suryakumar Yadav rocketed to the number two spot, just behind Australia’s Travis Head, who retains the top ranking.

Following his impressive performance against Zimbabwe, Indian opener Shubman Gill skyrocketed 36 places to reach number 37. This leapfrogged recently retired veterans Rohit Sharma (42nd) and Virat Kohli (51st) who bowed out of T20Is after their 2024 World Cup victory.

Meanwhile, the bowling rankings saw Zimbabwe’s Blessing Muzarabani rise 11 spots to 44th after grabbing six wickets in the India series. India also saw bowlers Washington Sundar (up 36 to 46th) and Mukesh Kumar (up 21 to 73rd) make significant climbs.

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England’s Adil Rashid maintains his dominance as the number one ranked T20I bowler, followed by South Africa’s Anrich Nortje and Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga in second and third, respectively.

Shifting gears to the Test rankings, England’s recent emphatic victory over the West Indies (114-run win and an innings victory) shuffled the pack. Several English batsmen benefitted from their strong showing at Lord’s.

Harry Brook climbed three spots to reach number seven, chasing after the top-ranked Kane Williamson of New Zealand. Openers Zak Crawley (up three to 13th) and Ollie Pope (up three to 29th) also gained ground after impressive scores.

England’s debutants at Lord’s also received a rankings boost. Wicketkeeper Jamie Smith entered the batting rankings at 75th after a half-century against the West Indies, while young pacer Gus Atkinson joined the bowling rankings at 52nd after a remarkable 12-wicket haul on debut.