Saim Ayub becomes world’s top T20 all-rounder in latest ICC rankings

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s rising cricket star Saim Ayub has claimed the top spot in the ICC T20 all-rounder rankings, displacing India’s Hardik Pandya in a major shake-up of the global standings.

According to the latest update from the International Cricket Council (ICC), Saim Ayub rose four places to secure the number one all-rounder position, capping off a string of impressive performances for the national side.

Also read: PCB withholds NOCs for national cricketers ahead of foreign league commitments

The 23-year-old’s consistent form with both bat and ball has made him a key asset for Pakistan in the shortest format of the game.

Meanwhile, fellow all-rounder Muhammad Nawaz also made significant progress, climbing four spots to reach number 13 in the all-rounder rankings.

In the batting charts, Sahibzada Farhan surged 11 places to break into the top 15, now ranked 13th globally. His recent performances have bolstered Pakistan’s T20 lineup, offering another dependable option at the top order.

However, it wasn’t all good news for Pakistan, as leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed dropped three places among bowlers, now sitting at number 7. Despite the slip, he remains Pakistan’s highest-ranked T20 bowler.

Meanwhile, India’s Abhishek Sharma achieved the highest-ever rating for a T20I batter. Sharma, who was named Player of the Tournament at the Asia Cup after scoring 314 runs at an average of 44.85, now holds a record 931 rating points, surpassing English cricketer Dawid Malan’s previous best of 919 from 2020. His dominant performances not only cemented India’s batting dominance but also highlighted the stiff competition emerging from both sides of the border.

RIZ-BAR RETURN

On the domestic front, after being left out of the Asia Cup 2025 squad, star batter Babar Azam has been recalled to Pakistan’s Test squad for the upcoming home series against South Africa scheduled to begin next month in Lahore.

Also read: Babar Azam returns to Pakistan squad for South Africa Test series

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday announced an 18-player squad for the two-Test series, which will be part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025–2027 cycle. The squad also features Mohammad Rizwan, another seasoned batter who was not included in the playing XI during the Asia Cup.

The Test team, captained by Shan Masood, includes three uncapped players, reflecting the selectors’ intent to build depth in the red-ball format.