ISLAMABAD: Pakistan skipper Babar Azam has climbed up to the third spot in the latest update of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s T20 players rankings, while his opening partner Mohammad Rizwan retained his second position.
According to the rankings updated on Wednesday, Babar has moved up one spot and is now placed third. Meanwhile, Rizwan is placed second in the rankings.
Both Babar and Rizwan will have the opportunity to narrow the gap on India’s Suryakumar Yadav, who is currently placed at the top position and is playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Pakistan will play five T20I matches against New Zealand, starting from April 14 in Lahore.
“Babar moved up to third on the rankings that were updated by the ICC on Wednesday and will get a further opportunity to make inroads on Suryakumar when Pakistan commence their five-game T20I series against New Zealand on Saturday,” the ICC stated.
The Indian batsman currently holds a commanding lead at the top of the T20I rankings for batters with 906 rating points. However, Rizwan (811) and Babar (755) have a chance to gain more points while Suryakumar is playing in the IPL.
Ironically, Babar’s rise to third place in the rankings was due to Devon Conway’s absence from New Zealand’s series against Sri Lanka. Conway is also at the IPL with the Chennai Super Kings.
(Islamabad51-Newsdesk)
