India and Pakistan players have made big gains in the latest released T20 International (T20I) players’ rankings by International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday.
Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan has regained his top spot in the batting charts following his splendid batting performances in the ongoing seven-match series against England.
Rizwan has made scores of 88, 8 and 88 in three T20Is, to help him maintain his numero uno position at the top. His batting brilliance has propelled Pakistan to level the series level at 2-2.
Similarly, Indian star Suryakumar Yadav has advanced to the No. 2 position, just one slot and two rating points ahead of Pakistan skipper Babar Azam at number three. Surya gained a spot after his dazzling 69 off 36 deliveries in the third and final T20I against Australia in Hyderabad, which helped India win the match and seal the series 2-1.
Babar, on the other hand, has also moved up by one position to No 3, thanks to his scores of 110, 8 and 36 against England. Further, former India captain Virat Kohli has moved up to 15th place after his match-winning 63 off 48 balls in the final T20I against Australia.
Both India and Pakistan players can excel more in the rankings as the Men in Green have three more T20Is to go against England, while India will play a three-T20I series against South Africa.
England’s Harry Brook and Ben Duckett have made significant progress after their respective half-centuries and two other scores of over 30 each in their last three games against Pakistan. Brook has moved to the 29th position while Duckett has advanced to the 32nd. Australia skipper Aaron Finch has progressed one place to No.5 following his knock of 31 in the second T20I against India in Nagpur.
Among bowlers, Axar Patel is the major gainer, climbing up from 33rd to 18th after his Player-of-the-Series performance against Australia. Axar picked up eight wickets in three games to excel in the bowlers’ chart currently headed by Josh Hazlewood, who picked up three wickets from three games.
