Sadia Iqbal brings glory to Pakistan with No.1 T20I bowling ranking

Left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal reclaimed the top spot in the ICC Women's T20I bowling rankings this week, solidifying her place among the best players in the game's shortest format, and Pakistan celebrated a momentous occasion in women's cricket.

The ICC released its latest rankings on Tuesday, and Iqbal’s rise to the summit was made possible after England’s ace spinner Sophie Ecclestone missed her team’s recent T20I series against the West Indies. As a result, Ecclestone dropped to fourth in the rankings, paving the way for Iqbal to move one place up and return to the position she briefly held during last year’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. Iqbal had a significant role in Pakistan’s World Cup campaign, with her precise, economical bowling troubling some of the world’s best batters. Her consistency and match-winning spells have now earned her the top spot again a moment of immense pride for Pakistan’s cricketing fraternity.

While Pakistan celebrated Iqbal’s achievement, several other players also made waves in the latest rankings. England pacer Lauren Bell surged 13 spots to reach sixth overall, following an impressive seven-wicket haul against the West Indies. Fellow England bowlers Linsey Smith (up 37 places to 41st) and Issy Wong (up 32 to joint-62nd) also enjoyed significant jumps thanks to their performances in the same series.

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Matthews dazzles with the bat as Sadia Iqbal puts Pakistan on top in T20I bowling charts

In the batting department, West Indies captain Hayley Matthews continued her stunning run of form. After scoring 177 runs at an average of 88.50 in three matches in England, Matthews moved up two spots to become the second-ranked T20I batter, now just behind Australia’s Beth Mooney. Australia’s Tahlia McGrath dropped to third as Matthews closes in on the top.

Matthews was also named Player of the Series and further extended her lead at the top of the T20I all-rounder rankings, thanks to her all-around efforts that included picking up three wickets during the series. Among the England batters, Nat Sciver-Brunt climbed five places to ninth, Heather Knight moved up seven to joint-17th, and Sophia Dunkley improved by eight spots to joint-29th, all courtesy of solid contributions against the West Indies.

But Sadia Iqbal, a bowler whose composed manner and steady left-arm spin have contributed significantly to the team's success, deserves the headline for Pakistan. Her ascent back to the top of the rankings not only advances her own career but also highlights Pakistan's expanding influence in the world of women's cricket.