Hardik Pandya jumps to career-best 5th spot in T20I all-rounder rankings

Dubai, Aug. 31 (IANS): Star India all-rounder Hardik Pandya climbed eight places in the latest ICC T20I all-rounder rankings, released on Wednesday, to attain his career best fifth position after exceptional individual performance against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2022, here.

Hardik claimed 3/25 with the ball and made 33 not out from just 17 balls, leading India to a thrilling five-wicket win over arch-rivals Pakistan in their opening game of Asia Cup on Sunday.

His impactful performance also showed that the 28-year old will be vital in India’s T20 World Cup campaign later in the year in Australia.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s blistering start to the tournament has also not gone unnoticed, with a number of players rewarded in the updated rankings.

Rashid Khan’s push for the No. 1 bowler position has been helped with a two-spot jump to third (708 points), over fellow leg-spinners Adil Rashid and Adam Zampa. Left-arm wrist-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi (716) is next in Rashid’s sights, though Josh Hazlewood (792) boasts a strong margin at the top of the list.

Rashid’s compatriot Mujeeb Ur Rahman has entered the top-10 with a seven-spot move up the rankings (660), currently edged out for eighth by Bhuvneshwar Kumar (661), whose 4/26 against Pakistan helped the Men in Blue to victory.

There were no new entrants in the T20I batting top-10, though there was a push from Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan, moving up to second (796) to join Babar Azam (810) in the top two.

Afghanistan’s Hazratullah Zazai’s innings of 23 (26) and 37 (28) led to a three-spot rise to 14th (611). His teammate Rahmanullah Gurbaz moved up five spots to 29th.

There were several shuffles across the other two formats, with Ben Stokes’ role in England’s victory over South Africa leading to moves up in all three Test ranking lists.

Making a hundred and taking 2/17 and 2/30, Stokes moved up nine spots on the batting rankings to 18th (668), five spots to 38th on the bowling rankings (540), and up to second on the all-rounder list (360). Ravindra Jadeja (384) holds on to the top spot.

There were no moves of note in the top-10 of the ODI rankings, though the first match between Australia and Zimbabwe saw shuffles lower down.

Wesley Madhevere’s half-century in Townsville led to a 38-position climb, with fellow Zimbabwe teammate Richard Ngarava making a move in the bowling rankings. After a strong showing in Australia’s victory, the young all-rounder moved 82 places on the bowling rankings, and 56 places in the all-rounder list.