Pakistan’s rising star Saim Ayub has climbed to the top of the ICC Men’s T20I all-rounder rankings, becoming the world’s No.1 in the latest update by the International Cricket Council. Ayub jumped four places to overtake India’s Hardik Pandya, who had held the top spot for a long stretch. His recent bowling form, with eight wickets in seven matches, played a key role in his rise.
The rankings update also brought good news for other Pakistani all-rounders. Mohammad Nawaz climbed four positions to 13th, while Faheem Ashraf advanced to 35th. These movements come as players ramp up performances ahead of next year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
In batting, India’s Abhishek Sharma made history by reaching 931 rating points—the highest ever in T20I cricket—to secure the No.1 position. Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan continued his strong run, jumping 11 spots to 13th. However, established players like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan dropped to 37th and 41st respectively, while Fakhar Zaman moved up six places to 60th.
For bowlers, India’s Varun Chakaravarthy retained the top spot. Pakistan’s Abrar Ahmed slipped three places to seventh, while Shaheen Shah Afridi made a notable comeback, rising 12 spots to 13th after recent strong performances. The shifts reflect form changes during ongoing bilateral T20 series.
These ranking updates are significant as teams prepare for the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup. For Pakistan, Saim Ayub’s rise marks a new chapter, spotlighting the emergence of a fresh all-round talent on the world stage.