Following a successful T20 series against Australia, Pakistani cricketers have received a major boost in the latest ICC rankings. The update, released on Wednesday, highlights notable improvements in both the bowling and all-rounder categories for the team, signalling a resurgence of Pakistan’s key performers on the international stage.
In the bowlers’ rankings, Abrar Ahmed made a significant leap after claiming six wickets in the series, moving up to second place with a career-best rating of 748 points. Only India’s Varun Chakravarthy remains ahead of him, making Abrar a vital asset for Pakistan’s bowling attack.
The all-rounder rankings have also delivered excellent news for Pakistan. Shaheim Ayub has reclaimed the top position, narrowly edging out Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza by just one point. Mohammad Nawaz has also climbed to a commendable seventh place, reflecting Pakistan’s growing depth in the all-round department.
Although Pakistan’s pacers struggled somewhat against Australia, their spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi has returned to the top 20, now placed at 19th, reaffirming his status as a key T20 bowler for the team.
Batting, however, remains an area requiring improvement. Despite strong individual performances, neither Shaheim Ayub nor Salman Ali Agha has yet managed to break into the top 20 batsmen. Among Pakistan’s batters, Sahibzada Farhan remains the highest-ranked, positioned at 7th, despite facing challenges in scoring during the recent Australia series. As expected, India’s Abhishek Sharma continues to lead the batsmen’s rankings.
ICC T20 Rankings Snapshot (Pakistan Players)
| Category | Player Name | Rank | Rating Points | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All-Rounder | Shaheim Ayub | 1 | – | Regains top spot by 1 point over Raza |
| All-Rounder | Mohammad Nawaz | 7 | – | Significant climb in rankings |
| Bowler | Abrar Ahmed | 2 | 748 | Career-best rating after 6 wickets |
| Bowler | Shaheen Shah Afridi | 19 | – | Returns to top 20 |
| Batsman | Sahibzada Farhan | 7 | – | Highest-ranked Pakistani batter |
On the team front, India maintains a clear lead in the T20 team rankings, with 273 points compared to Pakistan’s 238 points, underscoring the challenge Pakistan faces in closing the gap ahead of major tournaments.
The ICC T20 World Cup is set to begin on 7 February 2026, with the India-Pakistan fixture originally scheduled for 15 February. However, following directives from the Pakistani government, the match has now been cancelled, adding further uncertainty to the tournament’s much-anticipated clash.
Despite these challenges, the resurgence of players like Shaheim Ayub and Abrar Ahmed provides Pakistan with renewed hope as they prepare for one of cricket’s most prestigious events.