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.

The ICC Women’s T20I Team of the Year 2024 celebrates the standout players who delivered match-winning performances across the year. From explosive batting to exceptional bowling, these athletes have been pivotal in their team's success.

Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa)

Smriti Mandhana (India)

Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka)

Hayley Matthews (West Indies)

Nat Sciver-Brunt (England)

Melie Kerr (New Zealand)

Richa Ghosh (India)

Marizanne Kapp (South Africa)

Orla Prendergast (Ireland)

Deepti Sharma (India)

Sadia Iqbal (Pakistan)

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With Gull Feroza’s back to back half centuries, Pakistan clinched a dominant 10 wicket win over UAE in the final Group A match of the Women’s Asia Cup 2024 in Dambulla. Pakistan’s bowlers, including Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal, and Tuba Hassan, each took two wickets to limit UAE to 103 runs, despite Theertha Satish’s solid 40.

Pakistan’s openers chased down the target in just 14.1 overs, boosting their net run rate from +0.497 to 1.158. Unless Nepal pulls off a huge upset against India later, Pakistan is likely to move on to the knockout stages.

UAE innings

Slow start in powerplay

UAE captain Esha Oza started strong with a boundary on her first ball, but the openers faced many dot balls, which hurt their progress. They did manage a boundary each over, except in Sadia Iqbal’s two overs, but also had 25 dot balls, which worked in Pakistan’s favor.

Pakistan bowlers shine in middle overs

UAE increased their scoring rate to 6 runs per over during the middle overs, but frequent wickets slowed their progress. Nashra Sandhu took two quick wickets, including UAE’s captain. Skipper Nida Dar and leg-spinner Tuba Hassan also picked up crucial wickets, including a key dismissal of UAE’s opener, who missed a half-century by 10 runs.

More wickets in the final overs

UAE’s attempt to accelerate in the final overs resulted in more wickets falling. Sadia Iqbal removed both set batters in her last two overs, ending with figures of 2-11. New batter Samaira Dharnidharka narrowly escaped a run-out but was out on the next ball, giving Tuba her second wicket. A few singles in the final over pushed UAE’s total to 103, but it was not enough to challenge Pakistan.

Pakistan innings

Early luck in powerplay

Pakistan’s openers enjoyed some luck. Feroza was dropped on the first ball but capitalized with frequent boundaries. Mubeena Ali, her opening partner, also survived a questionable stumping call, with the TV umpire ruling it not out despite clear evidence of her feet being outside the crease.

Feroza’s Fifty seals the win

Feroza’s confidence from her previous innings showed as she scored another fifty, finishing with 62 not out off 55 balls. Mubeena Ali supported with a solid 37 not out from 30 balls. Mubeena hit the winning runs on the first ball of the 15th over, securing the victory for Pakistan.

Player of the Match (Gul Feroza):

“Just enjoying my game. The plan is to get success. I take confidence [from the fifty in the last game]. It was an easy score, so I tried my level best.”