Pakistan spinner Imad Wasim climbs to the second spot in ICC T20I rankings

Babar Azam continues to lead the pack in the batsmen rankings in the shortest format.

Published - 06 May 2019, 22:00 IST | Updated - 06 May 2019, 22:00 IST

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Pakistan had a good news ahead of their ICC World Cup campaign as their left-arm spinner Imad Wasim moved up to the second position in the ICC T20I players’ rankings. The latest rankings were revealed following the Men in Green’s one-off match against England in Cardiff on Sunday that the Asian side lost by seven wickets.

The 30-year-old bowler, who was the No.1 ranked two years ago, has gone ahead of leg-spinners Shadab Khan and Adil Rashid of England after taking 1 for 24. Shadab didn’t play the game as he was ill while Rashid went rewardless. Young Pakistan left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi also did well to go up in the rankings by three positions (from 50th to 47th). Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan continued to lead the way in the T20I bowlers’ list by some way.

Babar Azam continues to dominate

In the batsmen’s list, in-form Babar Azam continued to be the No.1 after scoring 65 off 42 balls in the game. The knock helped him gather 11 points to take his tally of points to career-best 896. His compatriot Harris Sohail also made a giant leap from 218 to 141 following his 50 off 36 balls in the match.

Joe Root of England, who hit 47 in the game, went up to rank 19 after the knock while England captain Eoin Morgan’s 57* saw him climbing up to the 22nd position. Morgan’s 29-ball knock earned him the Man of the Match award as England demolished Pakistan by seven wickets. Pakistan had made 173 for 6 in 20 overs after Sarfaraz Ahmed won the toss and elected to bat but the target was overhauled by the hosts with four balls to spare.

In the team rankings, Pakistan led the pack with 283 points and were followed by England (266), South Africa (262), Australia (261) and India (260). England and Pakistan will now lock horns over a five-match ODI series – their final preparation before the ICC World Cup starting May 30.