Abrar Ahmed breaks into ICC Top 5 T20I bowlers after Asia Cup heroics

Pakistani spinner Abrar Ahmed has been one of the brightest stars for his team in the ongoing Asia Cup. His sharp spin, clever variations, and calmness under pressure have made him a key weapon in Pakistan’s bowling attack. Now, his hard work has paid off, as he has broken into the top five of the ICC Men’s T20I bowlers’ rankings for the very first time in his career.

At just 26 years old, Abrar has climbed to No. 4 in the latest ICC update, achieving a personal-best rating of 703 points. This major jump came after his match-winning spell against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi, where his accuracy and fearless bowling turned the game in Pakistan’s favor. Cricket experts say that Abrar’s ability to read batters and deliver under pressure makes him one of the most reliable bowlers Pakistan currently has in T20 cricket.

This achievement is another highlight in what has been a breakthrough year for Abrar Ahmed. Once considered a raw talent, he has now established himself as a frontline bowler across formats. In the Asia Cup 2025 alone, he has taken five wickets in five matches, with an impressive economy rate of just 4.62 runs per over. In modern T20 cricket, where big-hitting is common, such tight bowling is extremely valuable and shows how important Abrar has become for his side.

By breaking into the elite top five, Abrar is now walking the same path as Pakistan’s legendary spinners like Saeed Ajmal, Imad Wasim, and Shadab Khan, all of whom once dominated the ICC rankings. His rise also signals that Pakistan continues to produce world-class spin bowlers who can perform at the international stage.

It is not just Abrar who has seen movement in the rankings. Fast bowler Shaheen Afridi has moved up to 25th, while his pace partner Haris Rauf has climbed to 28th. On the other hand, spinners Sufiyan Muqeem (14th) and Mohammad Nawaz (46th) have slipped down the table.

ICC Men’s T20I Bowlers’ Rankings (Top 5)

1. Varun Chakaravarthy (India) – 747
2. Jacob Duffy (New Zealand) – 717
3. Akeal Hosein (West Indies) – 707
4. Abrar Ahmed (Pakistan) – 703
5. Adam Zampa (Australia) – 700

While Abrar has shined with the ball, Pakistan’s batting department has also shown improvement. Sahibzada Farhan has been rewarded for his consistent performances, moving up 34 spots to 24th place in the ICC T20I batters’ rankings. Salman Ali Agha (64th) and Fakhar Zaman (66th) have also made gains. However, Saim Ayub (54th), Hasan Nawaz (58th), and Mohammad Haris (91st) have slipped in the latest update.

ICC Men’s T20I Batters’ Rankings (Top 5)

1. Abhishek Sharma (India) – 907
2. Phil Salt (England) – 844
3. Tilak Varma (India) – 791
4. Jos Buttler (England) – 785
5. Travis Head (Australia) – 771

Interestingly, despite a drop in batting form, Saim Ayub still holds his position in the top five all-rounders’ rankings, sitting at 5th place. He is joined by fellow Pakistanis Mohammad Nawaz (17th) and Faheem Ashraf (39th) in the list.

ICC Men’s T20I All-Rounders’ Rankings (Top 5)

1. Hardik Pandya (India) – 238
2. Mohammad Nabi (Afghanistan) – 231
3. Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe) – 212
4. Dipendra Singh Airee (Nepal) – 209
5. Saim Ayub (Pakistan) – 201

Looking ahead, Pakistan’s next challenge in the Asia Cup Super Fours gives Abrar Ahmed and other players another chance to climb even higher in the ICC rankings. With a packed calendar of T20 cricket in the coming months, fans believe this is just the beginning of something special for Abrar and Pakistan cricket. If he continues to grow at this pace, Abrar could soon become not just a star for Pakistan, but also one of the world’s best T20 spinners.

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