Rizwan overtakes Babar to clinch top spot in T20I rankings

DUBAI: Pakistan wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan has surpassed the skipper Babar Azam to become the new No.1 ranked T20I batter in the world after the latter retained the top spot for 1155 days.  

According to the latest released rankings by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday, Rizwan has scaled to the top of the T20I rankings for the very first time in his career with 815 points, thanks to his sublime form in the ongoing Asia Cup 2022, where he has amassed 192 runs in 3 matches, including a scintillating 71-run knock against India on Sunday.

Rizwan became the third Pakistani batter to achieve the top rank in the T20Is as previously Mishah ul Haq and Babar were the only two Pakistani batters to do so.

Babar, on the other hand, lost the spot to his compatriot and opening partner as he slipped to the second position with 794 rating points. So far, Babar failed to impress with the bat in the ongoing tournament.

Babar’s stay at the top position was the longest by any batter in the T20I rankings.

Meanwhile, India’s Suryakumar Yadav slid to the fourth position as South Africa’s Aiden Markram claimed the third spot with 792 rating points.

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