Saim Ayub reclaims top spot in ICC T20 all-rounder rankings

Saim Ayub has returned to the top of the ICC Men’s T20 All-Rounder Rankings after strong performances in the recently concluded three-match T20 series against Australia.

Pakistan completed a clean sweep in the series, beating Australia 3-0. During the contests, Saim contributed 119 runs with the bat and picked up three wickets, playing a key role in the team’s dominant showing.

In an update issued on Wednesday, the International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed that Saim climbed one place to reclaim the number one position in the monthly all-rounder rankings, pushing Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza down to second.

The ICC said Saim’s rise “bodes well for Ayub and Pakistan” as the team prepares for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Pakistan will be aiming to win the title for only the second time, having last lifted the trophy in 2009.

Pakistan’s bowlers also made notable gains in the rankings. Leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed moved up two spots to second place in the T20 bowler rankings after taking six wickets in the series against Australia. According to the ICC, Abrar is now just 28 rating points behind India’s Varun Chakravarthy, who remains at the top of the list.

Another Pakistan spinner, Mohammad Nawaz, made a significant jump, climbing eight places to seventh in the T20 bowler rankings following his five-wicket haul in the final match of the series. Nawaz also improved his position among T20 all-rounders, moving up one spot to fourth.

In the batting rankings, Saim Ayub rose eight places to 27th, while Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha surged 12 spots to reach 29th in the latest ICC standings.