Latest ICC Rankings: Saim Ayub Becomes World No.1 T20I All-Rounder

The 2025 Asia Cup may not have been the brightest tournament for Saim Ayub as a batsman, but it has certainly highlighted his growth as a bowler. While many expected him to shine with the bat, it was his bowling that turned heads. Throughout the tournament, the young all-rounder impressed with both his accuracy and clever variations, and this consistency has now rewarded him with the No.1 spot in the ICC T20I all-rounders’ rankings. The ICC updated its rankings recently, and Saim Ayub officially became the top-ranked all-rounder in T20I cricket.

During the Asia Cup, Saim picked up eight wickets and scored 37 runs. Even though his batting numbers were modest, his contributions with the ball were impactful in crucial matches. This performance allowed him to overtake India’s Hardik Pandya, who had long been considered one of the best all-rounders in the shortest format. At just 23 years old, Saim has shown that he is more than just an aggressive top-order batter—he is now proving to be a reliable bowling option too. His development adds a new dimension to Pakistan’s squad, giving head coach Mike Hesson another valuable player to build his white-ball strategy around.

For Pakistan, a team that is often criticised for lacking balance between batting and bowling, Saim Ayub’s versatility has come at the perfect time. Having a player who can contribute in both departments provides the team with flexibility, something that has often been missing in recent years. His ability to adapt and fit into different roles makes him an asset in high-pressure tournaments like the Asia Cup and the upcoming T20 World Cup.

ICC T20I All-Rounders Rankings (Latest Update)

1. Saim Ayub – 241 points
2. Hardik Pandya – 233 points
3. Mohammad Nabi – 231 points
4. Dipendra Singh Airee – 214 points
5. Sikandar Raza – 209 points

On the batting side, Sahibzada Farhan was Pakistan’s standout performer in the Asia Cup. His aggressive and fearless approach at the top of the order gave Pakistan strong starts, and his form has been rewarded with a big jump in the ICC rankings. He has climbed 11 places to now sit at 13th in the world among T20I batters. This achievement reflects the impact he had throughout the tournament.

Other Pakistani batters also saw progress. Fakhar Zaman rose six places to reach 60th position, while Salman Ali Agha moved up to 62nd and Mohammad Haris improved to 79th. On the other hand, Hasan Nawaz continued to slide down, losing three spots and now sitting at 61st.

ICC T20I Batters Rankings (Top 5)

1. Abhishek Sharma – 926 points
2. Phil Salt – 844 points
3. Tilak Varma – 819 points
4. Jos Buttler – 785 points
5. Pathum Nissanka – 779 points

In the bowling department, Pakistan saw mixed results. Mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed, who was once inside the top five, dropped three places and now sits at 7th. Young left-arm spinner Sufiyan Muqeem (17th) and fast bowler Haris Rauf (33rd) also slipped down the rankings. But there was positive news as well—Shaheen Afridi, Pakistan’s spearhead, made a strong comeback with a brilliant Asia Cup, moving up 12 places to now sit at 13th in the world.

The biggest surprise in the bowling rankings was once again Saim Ayub. His bowling performance was so strong that he jumped 51 places to reach 58th. This massive rise proves how quickly he is improving as a bowler. Meanwhile, Faheem Ashraf also re-entered the top 100, climbing 26 spots to now sit at 93rd.

ICC T20I Bowlers Rankings (Top 5)

1. Varun Chakaravarthy – 803 points
2. Jacob Duffy – 717 points
3. Adam Zampa – 700 points
4. Akeal Hosein – 699 points
5. Adil Rashid – 689 points

Looking ahead, Pakistan has a packed cricketing schedule, including the much-anticipated T20 World Cup. For Saim Ayub, this is an exciting moment. His rise to the top of the all-rounders’ rankings is more than just a personal success—it represents hope for Pakistan cricket. Having a young homegrown all-rounder leading the world rankings is a big boost for the team’s confidence and balance.

If Saim can also find consistency with the bat while continuing his progress as a bowler, he has the potential to become one of the most complete T20 players of his generation. His journey is just beginning, but his rise already signals the start of a new chapter for Pakistan, where young talent is stepping up to compete with the best in the world.

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