Babar Azam moves To Top Five in Latest ICC T20I rankings,
In the latest ICC Men’s T20I rankings update, Pakistan’s Babar Azam has made significant progress by moving up to the fourth spot, closing in on India’s Suryakumar Yadav, who continues to hold the top position. Babar’s impressive performance in the recent series against New Zealand, where he emerged as Pakistan’s leading run-scorer with 125 runs from four innings, including a crucial half-century in the fifth T20I, propelled him up the rankings. His consistent showing at the top of the batting order earned him a 10-point boost in ratings, taking his total to 763.
With just 98 rating points now separating him from Suryakumar Yadav, Babar Azam’s rise in the rankings sets up an exciting competition between the two dynamic batters ahead of the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup scheduled to commence on June 1. Babar’s teammate, Fakhar Zaman, also saw a notable improvement in the rankings, climbing 10 places to 62nd position after his impressive contribution of 104 runs in the series against New Zealand.
Among the New Zealand players, Tim Seifert stood out with a commendable performance, moving up seven places to share the seventh position in the rankings. The experienced right-hander showcased his batting prowess by accumulating 85 runs in the series at a respectable strike rate of 144.06. Additionally, Pakistan’s pace spearhead Shaheen Afridi made a significant leap in the T20I bowlers’ rankings, advancing three places to 14th following his impressive display with eight wickets across four matches against New Zealand.
The intense competition and individual achievements in the T20I rankings reflect the high stakes and excitement building up towards the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. As players from various teams continue to showcase their skills and make strides in the rankings, cricket fans can anticipate thrilling contests and stellar performances during the upcoming global tournament.
The improved rankings for Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Tim Seifert, and Shaheen Afridi underscore the talent and competitiveness present in T20 cricket, setting the stage for an enthralling and closely contested World Cup event.
