DUBAI: Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan and spinner Usman Tariq have made significant progress in the latest ICC T20I rankings after strong displays in the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Farhan has advanced two spots in the batters’ rankings to claim third place overall in the format. He now trails England’s Phil Salt, who sits second, while India’s Abhishek Sharma continues to hold the top position despite a relatively quiet tournament so far.
Meanwhile, a number of other Pakistan batters have experienced declines. Opener Saim Ayub has slipped three places to 34th, Babar Azam has edged down one position to 36th, and captain Salman Ali Agha has also dropped one spot to 38th. Fakhar Zaman has fallen further down the list to 88th.
In the bowlers’ rankings, spinner Abrar Ahmed has moved down from third to fifth, accumulating 712 rating points. Mohammad Nawaz has also lost ground, sliding three places to 12th.
Usman Tariq in ICC rankings
Among the fast bowlers, Salman Mirza has gained one position to move up to 18th, while Shaheen Afridi has risen four places to 31st.
Usman Tariq has recorded one of the most notable improvements, soaring 59 places to reach 55th. Spinner Sufiyan Muqeem has dropped 10 spots to 60th, whereas all-rounder Shadab Khan has climbed 10 places to 65th.
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Saim Ayub has also fallen 11 positions in the bowlers’ standings to 66th, with pacer Haris Rauf slipping five spots to 81st.
At the top of the T20I bowlers’ rankings, India’s Varun Chakaravarthy remains in first place, followed by Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan in second. The third position has changed hands, with South Africa’s Corbin Bosch jumping 21 places to secure the spot.
In the T20I all-rounders’ rankings, Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza has returned to the summit, replacing Pakistan’s Saim Ayub, who now occupies second. India’s Hardik Pandya continues to hold third place.
Mohammad Nawaz has dropped two places to ninth, while Shadab Khan has improved by four spots to 21st. Faheem Ashraf and Salman Ali Agha have slipped to 52nd and 53rd respectively, losing two and one places. Shaheen Afridi has also climbed four spots to 63rd.
Sahibzada Farhan’s rise
The latest rankings update reflects the impact of performances in high-pressure matches at the T20 World Cup, where consistency and match-winning contributions carry significant weight in the ICC’s rating system. With several teams playing multiple fixtures in a short span, even minor fluctuations in form have resulted in notable shifts across categories.
Farhan’s rise into the top three underscores his growing stature in Pakistan’s white-ball setup. The right-hander has been one of the most reliable performers at the top of the order in the tournament, providing brisk starts and anchoring innings when required. His improved ranking places him among the elite T20 batters globally and strengthens Pakistan’s presence in the upper tier of the batting charts.
For Usman Tariq, the dramatic leap in the bowlers’ rankings marks a breakthrough moment in his international career. The mystery spinner has impressed with his control in the middle overs, often bowling in high-pressure situations against top-order batters. His ability to vary pace and extract turn has added a new dimension to Pakistan’s spin attack, particularly on surfaces offering grip.
ICC rankings
The reshuffle in the bowling standings also highlights the intense competition among T20 specialists worldwide. With teams increasingly relying on spin options during the middle phase of the innings, bowlers who can contain runs while taking wickets have gained prominence in the shortest format.
Pakistan’s mixed movement in the rankings mirrors their fluctuating campaign in the tournament. While individual brilliance has propelled certain players upward, collective inconsistency has affected others. The ICC rankings, calculated on a weighted performance system, reward sustained contributions over time, meaning upcoming fixtures could further alter positions.
In the all-rounders’ category, the battle for the top spot remains tight, with players contributing across departments becoming increasingly valuable in modern T20 cricket. The format’s evolving demands — including power-hitting, multi-phase bowling and athletic fielding — have made versatile cricketers central to team balance.
With the T20 World Cup entering its decisive phase, further changes in the rankings are likely. Strong performances in knockout matches often result in substantial rating boosts, particularly for players delivering under pressure. For Pakistan, continued contributions from Farhan and Tariq could not only enhance their team prospects but also solidify their standing among the format’s leading performers.
As the tournament progresses, the ICC rankings will continue to serve as a benchmark of individual excellence, reflecting both consistency and impact on the global stage.
