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In a surprising development, Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam has dropped out of the ICC Men’s T20I top 10 rankings for the first time in eight years. The right-handed batter has fallen three spots, now positioned at No. 12, just ahead of his teammate Mohammad Rizwan. The decline comes after a tough start to the year, with both Babar and Rizwan being dropped from Pakistan’s T20I squad under the leadership of the new captain, Salman Agha.
Babar’s last T20I appearance was in January, where he had a brilliant run with three consecutive half-centuries against South Africa. However, his form declined, as he could only score in single figures in his first three innings against West Indies.
Babar Azam’s Recent Form and Pakistan Super League Performance
Despite his drop in rankings, Babar Azam’s consistency in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) cannot be overlooked. In the recently concluded tournament, he accumulated 288 runs at an average of 36.00, with three half-centuries and a strike rate of 128.57. His performance in the PSL indicates that his slump in international cricket may just be a temporary phase.
Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman See Declines
Along with Babar, two other senior batters, Mohammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman, also experienced declines in their ICC T20I rankings. Fakhar Zaman saw a significant drop, falling 10 places to 87th, with 406 points, while Rizwan slipped one place, now sitting at No. 13. Rizwan’s slip in the rankings has added to the growing concern over Pakistan’s T20I batting lineup.
Pakistan’s Success Against Bangladesh Reflects in Latest Rankings
While some senior players struggled, Pakistan’s dominant 3-0 T20I series win against Bangladesh has had a positive impact on the latest ICC T20I rankings.
Mohammad Haris Shines with Big Leap in the Rankings
The standout performer in the rankings has been Mohammad Haris, who has made an astonishing jump of 210 places, now ranked 30th in the batting rankings, with 580 rating points. Haris, who impressed with his destructive potential during the series, registered the second-fastest T20I century by a Pakistani batter in the final match, showcasing his talent on the international stage.
Emerging Players Hasan Nawaz and Saim Ayub Move Up
Hasan Nawaz, the emerging middle-order batter who played a key role throughout the Bangladesh series, saw a notable rise, moving up 57 places to 45th, with 540 points. Similarly, Saim Ayub, a youngster who made an impact in the third T20I, climbed four places to 61st, now sitting at 485 points.
Captain Agha Salman Also Makes Strides
Captain Agha Salman, who contributed 90 runs across the three-match series, made a 42-place leap, now ranked 75th with 430 points. His leadership and batting form have been a crucial factor in Pakistan’s recent success.
Pakistan’s Bowling Rankings: Abbas Afridi and Shadab Khan Surge
In the bowling rankings, Abbas Afridi has impressed with his performances, moving up 18 places to 19th with 605 points. Shadab Khan, Pakistan’s vice-captain, surged 24 places to 59th, where he now shares the spot with Abrar Ahmed, who also made a remarkable 45-place leap in the rankings.
Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi and Others See Dips
On the flip side, Pakistan’s pace attack has seen a drop in the rankings. Naseem Shah, Sufiyan Muqeem, Haris Rauf, and Shaheen Afridi all experienced dips in their rankings. Naseem is now at 94th, Muqeem at 83rd, Rauf at 19th, and Afridi at 36th.
Kohli, RCB Finally Win IPL After 18-Year Wait
Top T20I Bowlers: Jacob Duffy Leads
In the global bowling rankings, New Zealand’s Jacob Duffy holds the top spot, followed by Akeal Hosein from the West Indies in second, and India’s Varun Chakaravarthy in third. These bowlers have maintained a consistent level of excellence in the shorter format of the game.
The Road Ahead for Pakistan’s T20I Players
While some of Pakistan’s senior players have seen their rankings slide, the team’s overall performance against Bangladesh and the rise of emerging players like Haris and Nawaz suggest that the future of Pakistan’s T20I cricket remains promising. The rankings could see further changes as players continue to impress in upcoming series.
