Pakistan players have gained big in the latest ICC T20Is rankings, announced by the governing body of the game on Wednesday (September 10).
With the Asia Cup 2025 underway, several Pakistan bowlers have handed their team a big boost by performing well in the recently concluded T20I tri-series that also featured Afghanistan and the hosts, the UAE.
Men in Green come out on top of the UAE T20I Tri Series
The Men in Green thrashed Afghanistan by 75 runs in the final to clinch the tri-series. Left-arm spinner Sufiyan Muqeem has moved up seven places to 15th overall after taking two wickets in the final.
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Pace spearhead Shaheen Afridi has moved up four spots to 22nd, while leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed has jumped up 39 spots to equal 27th after taking six wickets in two matches.
Pakistan’s left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz was adjudged the Player of the Series for his 10-wicket haul and has earned big in the ICC rankings. He has moved up 13 spots to 30th overall.
Among batsmen, opener Fakhar Zaman has moved up nine spots to 68th after scoring 155 runs in the tri-series. Sri Lanka star Kusal Perera has also gained three places to move to ninth following his unbeaten half-century against Zimbabwe in Harare.
Pakistan eye Asia Cup glory
After clinching the tri-series, Pakistan have its eyes set on the Asia Cup. The continental championship got underway on Tuesday (September 9) with the match between Afghanistan and the UAE. Pakistan is in Group A along with reigning champions India, the UAE, and Oman.
The top two teams from each group will qualify for the Super Fours. The Salman Ali Agha-led side will open their Asia Cup campaign on Friday (September 12) against Oman before taking on India on September 14. Their final group game against the UAE is on September 17.
Salman Ali Agha says the team is ready to do the unthinkable
Speaking after winning the Asia Cup, Ali Agha said that he and his teammates are fully focused on winning the Asia Cup.
“This series was tough for us here in Sharjah, but our focus was always on preparing for the Asia Cup,” Ali Agha said.
“Of course, we wanted to win, but the bigger goal was preparation. As a team, we’ve been building well since the Bangladesh series. We’re in good shape, and I believe we’re fully ready for the Asia Cup,” he added.
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