With the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup looming on the horizon, the race for the coveted spot of the No.1 ranked all-rounder has intensified, with two stalwarts of the game, Shakib Al Hasan and Wanindu Hasaranga, currently sharing the top position in the latest update to the ICC Men’s T20 Player Rankings.
As anticipation builds for the upcoming T20 extravaganza, the T20I all-rounder rankings present a closely contested battle, with just 23 rating points separating the top five players. Bangladesh’s seasoned campaigner Shakib Al Hasan, despite dropping three rating points after his recent outings against Zimbabwe, finds himself joined at the pinnacle by Sri Lanka’s captain Wanindu Hasaranga. Hot on their heels is Afghanistan’s Mohammad Nabi, a mere 10 rating points adrift.
Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza has surged up the rankings, climbing two places to fourth, buoyed by his impressive performances against Bangladesh. Meanwhile, South Africa’s Aiden Markram slips to fifth place, setting the stage for a thrilling showdown as the Proteas gear up for the T20 World Cup campaign.
The latest rankings also showcase significant movements in the T20I batting and bowling categories. Ireland’s Andrew Balbirnie and Harry Tector have made notable strides in the batting rankings, with Balbirnie jumping six places to 53rd and Tector climbing 12 spots to 69th, following their commendable displays against Pakistan in Dublin.
Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman has also seen an upward trajectory, rising four places to 57th in the T20I batting rankings, showcasing his hard-hitting prowess. Moreover, Imad Wasim’s stellar bowling performances have propelled him up the rankings ladder, as he ascends 24 places to equal 52nd among T20I bowlers and five spots to equal 16th in the all-rounder rankings, further solidifying his impact with both bat and ball.
Bangladesh’s bowling department also celebrates success, with Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman making strides in the rankings. Taskin Ahmed has climbed three places to 23rd, while Mustafizur Rahman has moved up five spots to 25th, underlining their contributions with the ball in recent encounters against Zimbabwe.
As teams fine-tune their strategies and players hone their skills in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup, the latest rankings paint a picture of fierce competition and tantalizing matchups awaiting cricket enthusiasts worldwide. With stars like Shakib Al Hasan and Wanindu Hasaranga setting the pace, and emerging talents making their mark, the stage is set for a thrilling spectacle in the world of T20 cricket.
