Babar Azam Drops in Latest ICC T20I Rankings as New Zealand Stars Shine

New Zealand’s explosive start to their T20I series against Pakistan has shaken up the latest ICC Men’s T20I player rankings, with notable shifts in both batting and bowling charts. As the Black Caps surged to a commanding 2-0 lead in the five-match series, players like Tim Seifert and Finn Allen have climbed the rankings, while Pakistan’s Babar Azam drops one spot to No. 8. Meanwhile, updates in the ODI rankings reflect standout performances from the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 in Windhoek.

Babar Azam Drops to No. 8 in T20I Rankings

Babar Azam, Pakistan’s former T20I captain, has slipped one position to No. 8 in the ICC Men’s T20I batting rankings following his exclusion from the squad for the ongoing New Zealand series, which began on March 16, 2025. The star batter, known for his consistency with 4,223 T20I runs at an average of nearly 40, last featured in the T20 World Cup 2024 and a solitary match against South Africa, where his form was decent but not exceptional. This dip sees him overtaken in the rankings as New Zealand’s aggressive top-order batters capitalize on their dominant performances.

Australia’s Travis Head retains his position at the top of the T20I batting rankings, followed by India’s Abhishek Sharma and England’s Phil Salt. The current top 10 reflects a competitive landscape, with Babar Azam now on the cusp of falling out of this elite group.

New Zealand’s Tim Seifert and Finn Allen Surge Upward

New Zealand’s revamped opening pair of Tim Seifert and Finn Allen have reaped the rewards of their fiery starts against Pakistan. Seifert, with aggressive knocks of 44 and 45, rocketed 20 places to joint 13th in the T20I batting rankings. Finn Allen, contributing 29* and 38, climbed eight spots to 18th. Their partnership has been pivotal in New Zealand’s 2-0 series lead, showcasing a blend of power and precision that has rattled Pakistan’s bowling attack.

In the bowling rankings, New Zealand’s Jacob Duffy also made waves, leaping 23 places to a career-high 12th position after taking six wickets across the first two matches. Pakistan’s Haris Rauf, despite the team’s struggles, rose four spots to 26th with a two-wicket haul in the second game. West Indies spinner Akeal Hosein continues to lead the T20I bowling rankings.

ODI Rankings Reflect League 2 Performances

The latest ODI rankings updates spotlight performances from the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 in Windhoek. Netherlands spinner Aryan Dutt advanced two places to joint 33rd among ODI bowlers with consecutive three-wicket hauls against Namibia, while teammate Paul van Meekeren jumped six spots to 61st. Namibia’s Gerhard Erasmus broke into the top 10 ODI all-rounders, rising two places to joint 10th after a four-wicket spell against Canada and a half-century against the Netherlands. Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai remains the top-ranked ODI all-rounder.

Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi holds steady at No. 9 in the ODI bowling rankings, maintaining his position amidst the T20I series focus.

ICC Rankings Table 2025

Here’s a snapshot of the latest ICC Men’s T20I batting rankings:

The table reflects rankings as of March 19, 2025.

What’s Next for Babar Azam and New Zealand?

Babar Azam drops in the rankings adds pressure as he aims to reclaim his form in domestic T20s, with his recent National T20 Cup outing drawing attention for an underwhelming reverse sweep dismissal. For New Zealand, the focus remains on sustaining their momentum in the remaining three T20I matches against Pakistan, offering further opportunities for Seifert, Allen, and Duffy to solidify their rankings gains.

As the cricketing world watches, the interplay between individual brilliance and team success continues to shape the ICC rankings, with Babar Azam drops and next move eagerly anticipated.

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