ICC rankings: Mohammad Rizwan jumps to No.1 T20I batter displaces Babar Azam

Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan, on Wednesday, September 7, became the new No.1 T20I batter in the world.

The right-hander replaced his own teammate Babar Azam, who has dropped down to second in the rankings.

Rizwan has been in impressive form in the ongoing edition of the Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The 29-year-old is currently the leading run-scorer in the tournament.

In three matches thus far, Rizwan has scored 192 runs at an average of 96 and a strike rate of 128 with two half-centuries to show for his efforts.

He also won the Player of the Match award after Pakistan defeated Hong Kong by 155 runs in a Group A match at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Rizwan scored an unbeaten 57-ball 78 in that match with six fours and one six and was also involved in a 93-run



stand with Fakhar Zaman.

Rizwan also scored 71 runs against India in the Super Four match in Dubai, although it was Mohammad Nawaz who won the Player of the Match award for his all-round performance.

The 29-year-old Rizwan also played a handy knock against the Men in Blue in a Group A match of Asia Cup 2022.

Suryakumar Yadav is the top-ranked Indian batter in the rankings, being placed fourth after Rizwan, Babar and South Africa’s Aiden Markram. Dasun Shanaka also jumped seven places, up to No.39.

Rohit Sharma, the Indian skipper, in the meantime, moved to 14th after going three places up in the rankings. Virat Kohli has dropped two places, down to 29 after scoring a duck against Sri Lanka on Tuesday. Prior to that, Kohli scored a half-century against Babar Azam’s Pakistan.