DUBAI: Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan has stormed into the top three of the ICC T20I batting rankings following a string of commanding performances at the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026, while pacer Salman Mirza celebrated a career-best rise among bowlers in the latest ICC weekly update.
Farhan surged four places to claim third position with 769 rating points, trailing only England’s explosive wicketkeeper-batter Phil Salt at second and India’s in-form Abhishek Sharma, who continues to reign at the summit.
The right-hander’s consistency at the top of the order has injected momentum into Pakistan’s campaign and now reflects in the global rankings hierarchy.
Batters: Mixed Fortunes for Pakistan’s Top Order
While Farhan celebrated ascent, several senior Pakistani batters endured slides in the updated standings.
Saim Ayub, the dynamic left-hander who recently commanded a record PKR 12.6 crore retention in the PSL 11 auction, slipped one place to 28th.
Former captain Babar Azam dropped to 35th, joined at that position by current white-ball skipper Salman Ali Agha, who tumbled six places.
Veteran left-hander Fakhar Zaman fell five spots to 79th, while emerging opener Hassan Nawaz dropped six places to 96th — a reminder of the unforgiving mathematics of ICC rankings, where every innings carries consequence.
Bowlers: Abrar Holds Firm, Salman Mirza Leaps
Pakistan’s wrist-spin wizard Abrar Ahmed retained his iron grip on second position among T20I bowlers, trailing only India’s mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy at the top. Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan holds third.
Mohammad Nawaz remained steady at seventh, but the week’s most significant Pakistani gain belonged to Salman Mirza.
The right-arm pacer climbed an impressive nine places to 13th — a career-best 636 rating points that validates his growing reputation in the format.
Shaheen Shah Afridi slipped four spots to 23rd, while left-arm wrist-spinner Sufiyan Muqeem dropped seven places to 45th.
Shadab Khan provided positive news, climbing nine places to 63rd, while Saim Ayub and Haris Rauf fell 10 and four spots to 68th and 70th, respectively.
All-Rounders: Raza Reclaims Throne, Ayub Dethroned
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza has reclaimed his crown as the world’s premier T20I all-rounder, dethroning Saim Ayub, who drops to second. India’s Hardik Pandya remains entrenched at third.
Mohammad Nawaz slipped one place to fifth, while Shadab Khan climbed four spots to 22nd. Faheem Ashraf, fresh from his PKR 8.5 crore PSL auction payday, improved three positions to 43rd.
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha endured a steep 11-place fall to 65th, while Shaheen Shah Afridi dropped one spot to 70th.
