Dubai, March 4 (.) Abhishek Sharma’s grip on the No.1 position in the latest International Cricket Council Men’s T20I batter rankings has weakened, with Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan making significant gains after his prolific run at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
According to the International Cricket Council (ICC) website, Farhan became the first player to score two centuries in a single T20 World Cup edition, including a superb hundred against Sri Lanka in Pallekele.
He climbed one place to second with a career-high rating and now trails Abhishek by 26 rating points after amassing 383 runs in the tournament. Farhan also moved past England’s Phil Salt in the rankings.
There was further reshuffling inside the top 10. India’s Ishan Kishan (fourth) and Tilak Varma (sixth) each moved up one place, while South Africa’s Dewald Brevis advanced to eighth.
Zimbabwe batter Brian Bennett jumped six places to 11th after scoring 292 runs in the competition. South Africa pair Ryan Rickelton (13th) and Aiden Markram (16th) also improved their positions.
In the T20I bowlers’ rankings, India spinner Varun Chakravarthy retained the No.1 spot, though his lead has narrowed to 18 rating points heading into the semifinals. Chakravarthy has claimed 12 wickets in the tournament so far.
Pakistan’s Abrar Ahmed climbed two places to third and is now closing in on the top position.
India pacers Jasprit Bumrah (seventh) and Arshdeep Singh (13th) also made gains. England’s Liam Dawson rose nine places to joint 14th, while South Africa’s Lungi Ngidi moved up to 20th.
Among all-rounders, Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza continues to lead the rankings. India’s Hardik Pandya climbed to second after overtaking Pakistan’s Saim Ayub.
West Indies veteran Jason Holder was another notable mover, gaining eight places to rise to 11th following an impressive all-round performance at the World Cup.
. VAN SSI