Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza stormed back to the summit of the ICC Men’s T20I all-rounder rankings. The International Cricket Council (ICC) updated the ranking on Wednesday.
Raza overtook Pakistan’s Saim Ayub after crucial knocks of 45 against the Sri Lanka national cricket team in Colombo and 27 versus the West Indies cricket team in Mumbai.
The Zimbabwe skipper’s heroics propelled his side into the Super Eights and reignited his rivalry with Ayub, with the duo frequently trading the No.1 spot in recent months.
India’s Shivam Dube climbed two places to seventh, while Afghanistan veteran Mohammad Nabi surged three spots to eighth, tightening the race at the top.
In the batting charts, India’s Abhishek Sharma retained his No.1 ranking despite a quiet start to the tournament.
According to the ICC rankings, he leads England’s Phil Salt by 62 rating points, while Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan vaulted two spots to third after emerging as the tournament’s leading run-scorer, achieving a career-best rating.
India’s Ishan Kishan rose three places to fifth, and South Africa’s Dewald Brevis rocketed 10 spots to ninth.
Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran, West Indies captain Shai Hope, and England skipper Harry Brook also made eye-catching gains inside the top 20.
Among bowlers, India spinner Varun Chakravarthy clung to the No.1 ranking despite an expensive outing against the South Africa national cricket team.
The biggest leap came from South Africa's quick Corbin Bosch, who surged 21 places to third after a three-wicket burst against the UAE and figures of 2/12 versus India.
West Indies seamer Matthew Forde jumped 23 places to seventh, while India pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah climbed to eighth.
South Africa’s Marco Jansen, West Indies spinner Gudakesh Motie, and England’s Liam Dawson also made strong advances.