SEPT 8: Mohammad Rizwan has become the new No.1 ranked T20I batter in the world, displacing Babar Azam at the top of the charts. Rizwan has been in stunning form in the Asia Cup, leading the run charts with 192 runs in 3 matches.
Rizwan was Pakistan's mainstay with the bat in their matches against Hong Kong and India, scoring 78* and 71 respectively in their back-to-back victories. His performances have seen him gain one spot, overtaking Babar who has endured a lean run in the tournament so far.
Rizwan becomes only the third Pakistan batter to top the T20I rankings chart after Babar and Misbah-ul-Haq. Babar has been at the top of the T20I batting charts for 1155 days in his career (as of 7 September).
Reacting to becoming the No.1 T20I batter, Mohammad Rizwan tweeted saying, "Count this as the 1156th day of the reign of captain Babar Azam. He and I are not different. The King remains the King. We are all one."
He also thanked the fans for all the support and good wishes.
In other big movements in the batting chart, Pathum Nissanka has gained one spot to move up to No.8, after his brilliant run in the Asia Cup. Nissanka has notched up scores of 20, 35 and 52 in his last three matches, with his latest performance helping Sri Lanka beat India in a Super Four encounter.
Afghanistan batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz is one of the biggest movers, gaining fourteen spots to No.15, driven by his 84 against Sri Lanka in the Super Four clash. Indian skipper Rohit Sharma also moves up four spots to No.13 after his 72 against Sri Lanka.
In the bowling charts, Sri Lankan and Afghanistan spinners have been the biggest gainers after their terrific performances. Mujeeb Ur Rahman's 2/30 has helped him gain three spots, to move to joint No.6, along with Akeal Hosein.
Maheesh Theekshana has been at his economical best during the Asia Cup, registering figures of 1/23, 1/29 and 1/29 in the last three games and has been richly rewarded. He breaks into the top ten, moving up five spots to No.8. Shadab Khan also moves up one spot to No.14 after 4/8 and 2/31 against Hong Kong and India respectively.
KATHMANDU, October 23: The world cricket community is all set to witness one of the much-anticipated T20 World Cup clashes between India and Pakistan, scheduled to take place on Sunday.
India have won all its matches against Pakistan in the World Cup- both in ODI and T20 formats.
The two teams last met in the 2019 ODI World Cup in England and India last hosted Pakistan in a bilateral series in 2013.
The question here is, who will win on Sunday? Will Indian skipper Virat Kohli open the campaign on a winning note? Or will Pakistan captain Babar Azam end the losing streak? The stats are favouring India as Men in Blue have beaten Pakistan in all of their 12 matches at the T20 and 50-over World Cups.
With two-time World Cup-winning skipper MS Dhoni as the mentor of the team in World Cup 2021, the chances of Virat Kohli & Co. are higher to win the marquee clash. In the Indian dressing room, the morale will be boosted with the presence of Dhoni, who led India to the inaugural T20 World Cup win in 2007.
However, one can't ignore Pakistan's form as they come into the Super 12s contest with 10 wins in a row in the United Arab Emirates. For the team, the skipper himself is in top form with two T20 centuries this year. Bowlers like Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hasan Ali can trouble any opposition.
Overall, India held a 7-1 advantage in the shortest format as Pakistan's only win came in a bilateral series which ended 1-1. But the result of India vs Pakistan on October 24 will be a new chapter in the career of Azam and Kohli.
Kohli has already announced that he will give up the India Twenty20 captaincy after the World Cup, so winning the title and the clash against Pakistan will be of huge significance. On the other hand, Sunday is an opportunity for Babar Azam to script history. (with inputs from agencies)
