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Babar improves T20I ranking after latest update

Prolific batter is captain of Pakistan in all formats

By Web Desk

April 12, 2023

Babar Azam is one of the best players in the world — AFP

Pakistan captain Babar Azam has moved up one place to third in the T20I batter’s rankings after the latest update issued by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday.

Azam’s teammate Mohammad Rizwan is in second place, meanwhile India’s Suryakumar Yadav is still at the top of the list.

Azam and Rizwan will have the opportunity to close the gap on Yadav, who is currently playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL), since the duo will be in action during the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand, which starts on April 14 in Lahore.

“Babar moved up to third on the rankings that were updated by the ICC on Wednesday and will get further opportunity to make inroads on Suryakumar when Pakistan commence their five-game T20I series against New Zealand on Saturday,” the ICC stated.

“Both Babar and Rizwan sat out Pakistan's most recent T20I series against Afghanistan and will be keen to score freely against the Black Caps, who are coming off a narrow 2-1 series triumph over Sri Lanka at home.

“While Suryakumar currently holds a commanding lead at the top of the T20I rankings for batters with 906 rating points, second-placed Rizwan (811) and third-placed Babar (755) could make gains while the India star is plying his trade in the IPL.

“Ironically, it was Devon Conway's absence from New Zealand's series against Sri Lanka that led to Babar improving one place to third on the latest set of rankings, with the Kiwi batter also at the IPL with the Chennai Super Kings.”

No Pakistan player is in the top 10 of the ICC bowler’s rankings in T20Is, with all-rounder Shadab Khan being the highest-ranked in 12th place.

Shadab is also the only Pakistan player in top 10 of the all-rounder’s rankings for T20I after securing fourth place.