Image: Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan dropped to seventh and ninth positions in the ICC T20 rankings / © Wisden
Just before the ICC Champions Trophy, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan faced a major setback as both have dropped in the latest ICC T20 rankings. Once dominant in the shortest format, Babar has slipped to seventh place, while Rizwan has dropped to ninth. Their decline follows Pakistan’s disappointing 3-0 series loss to Australia, where both struggled with the bat. Babar managed just 47 runs across three matches at an average of 15.66 and a strike rate of 142.42, while Rizwan had an even worse performance, scoring only 16 runs in two innings at a poor strike rate of 57.14.
Meanwhile, India’s Abhishek Sharma has surged to second place after his explosive 37-ball century against England, and Tilak Varma jumped 69 spots to third following his back-to-back centuries against South Africa. In the bowling rankings, West Indies’ Akeal Hosein reclaimed the top spot, replacing England’s Adil Rashid. Notably, no Pakistani bowlers are in the top ten, highlighting a broader decline in Pakistan’s T20 performance.
With major tournaments ahead, including the Champions Trophy and a tri-series, Pakistan must urgently address these issues. The team’s struggles suggest deeper concerns beyond just individual form, requiring immediate attention before the upcoming crucial fixtures.