Pakistan’s Bowlers Make Gains in ICC T20I Rankings, but Top Tier Remains Out of Reach
Pakistan’s T20I bowling unit has shown signs of improvement in the latest ICC T20I rankings, with several players climbing the ladder following recent international matches. However, no Pakistani bowler or batter has managed to crack the top 10, signaling a continued need for consistent high-level performances on the global stage.
Bowlers on the Rise: Rauf and Abbas Afridi Break into Top 20
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Haris Rauf and Abbas Afridi are now jointly ranked 18th, each earning 605 rating points.
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Shaheen Shah Afridi has advanced to 35th with 552 points, reflecting his recent form and wicket-taking ability in powerplays.
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All-rounder and T20I vice-captain Shadab Khan moved up to 58th, tied with Abrar Ahmed, both standing at 476 points.
Despite the progress, Pakistan has no representative in the top 10, a gap that remains a concern ahead of upcoming T20I series and global tournaments.
Mixed Fortunes for Younger Talent
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Promising pacers Naseem Shah and Sufiyan Muqeem have slid down the rankings, now placed 92nd and 95th, respectively.
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Their drops—combined with the lack of elite top-tier placement—underline the need for consistent international exposure and development pathways.
Batting Rankings: Babar, Rizwan Lead for Pakistan
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Babar Azam remains Pakistan’s top-ranked batter, holding the 12th position.
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Mohammad Rizwan follows closely in 13th, maintaining his spot with steady contributions.
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Mohammad Haris holds at 30th, showing signs of stability in the middle order.
However, the rest of the batting lineup has seen declines:
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Hasan Nawaz drops to 46th
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Saim Ayub slides to 62nd
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Fakhar Zaman slips further to 87th
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Pakistan’s current T20I captain (name omitted in official report) has also dropped two places to 76th
Global Leaders: Duffy, Head, and Sharma Shine
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Jacob Duffy (New Zealand) tops the bowling charts, followed by Adil Rashid (England) and Varun Chakaravarthy (India).
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In batting, Travis Head (Australia) leads the global list, with India’s Abhishek Sharma in second.
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Tilak Varma (India) has climbed to third, displacing Phil Salt (England) to fourth.
Outlook for Pakistan: Room for Growth Before ICC Tournaments
While the recent rankings show encouraging signs of depth in Pakistan’s bowling attack, the absence from the top 10 in both departments reflects underperformance against elite competition.
To close the gap:
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Senior players like Babar and Shaheen must continue to perform against top teams.
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Emerging talent such as Abbas Afridi and Haris Rauf need to convert domestic form into consistent international success.
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The team must also refine its middle-order batting and fielding strategies ahead of upcoming series and the ICC T20 World Cup.
With several high-profile bilateral series and franchise opportunities this summer, Pakistani players will have further chances to rise up the ranks and reclaim their positions among the world’s elite.
