Pakistani batters continue to dominate the ICC T20I Batting Rankings as the International Cricket Council (ICC) released the updated listing of batters, bowlers and all-rounders across all three formats of cricket on Wednesday.
Pakistan’s all-format captain Babar Azam, who retained his number one ranking in the Men’s ICC ODI Batting Rankings, and his opening batting partner Mohammad Rizwan, are arguably considered the best opening pair in T20I cricket currently.
The two openers were prolific in leading the Men in Green to a historic victory over India in the ICC T20 World Cup 2020 match that took place last year in Dubai. Pakistan’s Babar and Rizwan chased India’s 152-run target without losing a single wicket, a feat no other Pakistani opening batting pair has achieved before.
In the ICC T20I Men’s Batting Rankings, Babar Azam retains the top spot with 805 points while Rizwan follows in closely behind at number two with 798 points. Rizwan has a very short lead of two points over South African batter Aiden Markram, who has 796 points to his credit.
Babar Azam also dominates the ODI Men’s Batting Rankings with 873 points while former Indian T20I captain Virat Kohli follows him behind with 811 points. Pakistan’s left-handed batter Fakhar Zaman is the only other Pakistani to feature in the top 10 ODI batter’s rankings. Zaman is the ninth-best batter in ODIs with 741 points above England’s Joe Root. Babar Azam also features in the top 10 Test batters, ranked at number 9 on the list with 750 points.
Pakistan’s all-format captain will have his hands full next month when the Men in Green take on a full-strength Australian squad for a complete series. Australia are scheduled to tour Pakistan for the first time in over 24 years.
Pakistan will play three Test matches, three ODIs and one T20I against Australia in March and April 2022 before the Australian team departs on April 6.
