Pakistan’s cricket stars have earned a timely boost in the latest ICC Men’s T20I rankings, with Babar Azam, Saim Ayub and spinner Abrar Ahmed climbing up the global charts as the national side prepares for a crucial three-match home series against Australia.
According to the updated rankings released on January 28, 2026, opener Babar Azam moved up one spot to 31st in the T20I batting rankings, while emerging left-handed batter Saim Ayub climbed two places to reach joint 35th alongside West Indies batter Brandon King.
“Sustained improvement in ICC rankings reflects recent form and consistency,” said a veteran cricket analyst. “For players like Babar and Saim, these moves can boost confidence ahead of high-stakes matches.” The Australia series begins on January 29 at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium and will also serve as final preparation for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, starting on February 7 in Sri Lanka and India.
While Pakistan’s batting gains draw attention, the bowling charts offer strong news too. Leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed made a notable rise, now ranked joint fourth among T20I bowlers, sharing the spot with New Zealand pacer Jacob Duffy. The climb for Abrar highlights his growing reputation as one of the world’s most effective spinners in the shortest format.
Pakistan’s T20I captain Salman Ali Agha remained steady at 41st among batters, while Sahibzada Farhan held firm at fifth place, making him the highest-ranked Pakistani batter in the format. Other national players saw mixed movement: wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, currently out of T20I selection, slipped two spots to 61st; opener Fakhar Zaman dropped three places to 69th; Hassan Nawaz and Mohammad Haris also declined in the rankings.
At the top of the batting charts, India’s Abhishek Sharma continued to lead, followed by England’s Phil Salt in second and India’s Tilak Varma in third — showing global competition remains fierce. In the bowling rankings, India’s Varun Chakaravarthy retained the No. 1 position, with Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan at second.
The rise of Pakistani players in the rankings comes after strong individual performances in recent bilateral series, including a memorable home series against South Africa where Babar became the highest run-scorer in T20 Internationals, surpassing Rohit Sharma’s previous record.
Cricket fans will be watching closely as these ranking shifts add context to the upcoming Pakistan vs Australia series. With momentum on their side, Pakistan’s batters and bowlers aim to convert form into victories — a key stepping stone ahead of the global T20 event.
