T20I rankings : New no 1 batter, Theekshana passes Wanindu

September 7, 2022 at 2:15 PM

A new batter has scaled the peak of the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s Player Rankings for T20Is after his exceptional performances in the Asia Cup.

Mohammad Rizwan has become the new No.1 ranked T20I batter in the world, displacing Babar Azam at the top of the charts. Rizwan has been in stunning form in the Asia Cup, leading the run charts with 192 runs in 3 matches.

Rizwan was Pakistan’s mainstay with the bat in their matches against Hong Kong and India, scoring 78* and 71 respectively in their back-to-back victories. His performances have seen him gain one spot, overtaking Babar who has endured a lean run in the tournament so far. 

Rizwan becomes only the third Pakistan batter to top the T20I rankings chart after Babar and Misbah-ul-Haq. Babar has been at the top of the T20I batting charts for 1155 days in his career (as of 7 September). 

In other big movements in the batting chart, Pathum Nissanka has gained one spot to move up to No.8, after his brilliant run in the Asia Cup. Nissanka has notched up scores of 20, 35, and 52 in his last three matches, with his latest performance helping Sri Lanka beat India in a Super Four encounter. 

Afghanistan batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz is one of the biggest movers, gaining fourteen spots to No.15, driven by his 84 against Sri Lanka in the Super Four clash. Indian skipper Rohit Sharma also moves up four spots to No.13 after his 72 against Sri Lanka. 

In the bowling charts, Sri Lankan and Afghanistan spinners have been the biggest gainers after their terrific performances. Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s 2/30 has helped him gain three spots, to move to joint No.6, along with Akeal Hosein. 

Maheesh Theekshana has been at his economical best during the Asia Cup, registering figures of 1/23, 1/29 and 1/29 in the last three games and has been richly rewarded. He breaks into the top ten, moving up five spots to No.8. Shadab Khan also moves up one spot to No.14 after 4/8 and 2/31 against Hong Kong and India respectively. 

Gains for Australia stars in ODI charts

David Warner has gained one spot, moving up to No.6 in the batting rankings, mainly on the back of his 94 against Zimbabwe in the third ODI. 

Mitchell Starc moves up three spots in the bowling rankings to No.12 after aggregating five wickets in his last three ODIs. 

Glenn Maxwell moves up one spot to No.9 in the all-rounders’ chart after registering figures of 4/52 in the first ODI against New Zealand in which Australia prevailed in a thriller. (ICC)