ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s emerging talent Saim Ayub has reclaimed the covetednumber one spot in the ICC Men’s T20I all-rounder rankings, marking asignificant milestone in his burgeoning career. The 23-year-old displacedZimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza at the top with a rating of 290 points, edgingahead by a single point. This achievement comes on the heels of Pakistan’scommanding 3-0 series win against Australia at home, where Ayub showcasedexceptional contributions with both bat and ball. His performances have notonly boosted his personal standing but also injected momentum intoPakistan’s preparations for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, scheduledto commence on February 7, 2026, in India and Sri Lanka.
The latest ICC rankings update, released on Wednesday, highlights Ayub’sconsistent form as a key factor in his ascent. During the three-match T20Iseries against Australia, the left-handed batter amassed 119 runs at animpressive average, including notable knocks of 40 in the opener, 23 in thesecond, and a fluent 56 off 37 balls in the decider. Complementing hisbatting prowess, Ayub claimed three wickets, demonstrating his off-breakbowling capabilities effectively against a strong Australian lineup. Theseall-round displays were instrumental in Pakistan’s clean sweep, providing astrong foundation for the team’s confidence heading into the globaltournament.
Ayub’s rise underscores his growing influence in the shortest format, whereversatility is increasingly prized. Having previously held the topposition, his return to the summit after overtaking Raza signals aresurgence in form timed perfectly before the T20 World Cup. Pakistan, the2009 champions, aim to secure their second title in the event, and Ayub’selevated status bolsters optimism within the squad. His ability tocontribute meaningfully in multiple facets positions him as a pivotal assetfor the national side in high-stakes encounters.
Pakistan’s bowling contingent also benefited substantially from the seriesagainst Australia, with several spinners recording career-best rankings.Leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed advanced two places to secure the second positionamong T20I bowlers, narrowing the gap on India’s Varun Chakravarthy at thetop. Abrar’s haul of six wickets across the three matches highlighted hiscontrol and variations, making him a formidable threat in the middle overs.
Left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz enjoyed an even more dramatic surge,leaping eight spots to seventh in the bowling rankings after a standoutfive-wicket performance in the final match. Nawaz’s economical spells andwicket-taking ability reinforced Pakistan’s spin dominance on home pitches.Additionally, his all-round contributions propelled him to fourth place inthe all-rounder rankings, further strengthening Pakistan’s depth in thiscategory.
These ranking gains reflect the team’s balanced performance during theseries, where spinners dominated Australia’s batting. The clean sweep notonly provided valuable match practice but also elevated multiple players’profiles ahead of the T20 World Cup. With the tournament approachingrapidly, such individual advancements contribute to collective team moraleand strategic options.
Ayub’s batting progress complemented his all-round success, as he climbedeight places to joint 27th in the T20I batting rankings. His aggressive yetcomposed approach at the top order has added dynamism to Pakistan’s lineup.Meanwhile, other players like captain Salman Ali Agha also registeredgains, climbing 12 positions to 29th, indicating broad-based improvementacross the squad.
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The timing of these developments is particularly advantageous for Pakistan,as the national team prepares to defend its reputation in the T20 WorldCup. Matches in Sri Lanka and India will test the squad’s adaptability, andplayers like Ayub, Abrar, and Nawaz are expected to play central roles. Theseries victory over Australia serves as ideal preparation, highlightingstrengths in spin bowling and all-round capabilities.
As Pakistan chases its second T20 World Cup triumph since 2009, the latestICC rankings provide a data-driven endorsement of the team’s currenttrajectory. Saim Ayub’s return to the number one all-rounder positionsymbolizes the rise of a new generation capable of leading from the front.With the tournament set to begin soon, these achievements heightenanticipation for Pakistan’s campaign on the global stage.
Source:https://www.wisden.com/cricket-news/latest-icc-t20i-player-rankings-pakistan-all-rounder-saim-ayub-crowned-new-no1-two-spinners-achieve-career-bests
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