DUBAI — Pakistan’s promising young batter Saim Ayub has claimed the No. 1 spot in the ICC T20I all-rounder rankings, dethroning India’s Hardik Pandya, the International Cricket Council confirmed on Wednesday.
Despite a disappointing batting performance in the recently concluded Asia Cup, where he managed just 37 runs across seven innings, including four ducks, Ayub impressed with the ball when it mattered most. He picked up eight crucial wickets in the tournament, helping Pakistan reach the final.
The 23-year-old’s all-round performance propelled him up four positions to the top, earning 241 rating points, while Hardik Pandya, who missed the Asia Cup final due to fitness issues, now occupies the second spot with 233 points.
In the batting rankings, India’s Abhishek Sharma sits at the top, amassing 931 rating points, surpassing England’s David Malan, who previously held the record with 919 points in 2020. Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan also made significant strides, jumping 11 places to reach 13th after scoring two half-centuries against India.
Among bowlers, Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi moved up 12 spots to 13th, while Faheem Ashraf rose 26 places to 93rd with 418 points. India’s Varun Chakaravarthy continues to dominate the bowling rankings with 803 points.
This remarkable shift highlights Pakistan’s growing strength in T20I cricket and underscores the impact of emerging talents like Saim Ayub on the international stage.
