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Pakistan captain Babar Azam has reclaimed the top position for batters in the ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings. Babar now sits on top of ICC's T20I batsman rankings with 834 points and surpasses Dawid Malan who is at number 2 with 798 points.

Azam’s two successive half-centuries in the ongoing T20 World Cup have helped him claim the top position. Babar scored 51 against Afghanistan and 70 against Namibia to lead the side into the semifinals. 

“It is a good little motivation to be back on top of the T20I rankings. But the bigger picture is these performances have helped Pakistan to rise to No.2 and become the first side to qualify for the semifinals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021,” said Babar.

“In a team game, each and every player has contributed, but we are well aware that the job is half done. Our focus firmly remains to maintain the standards we have set in this competition and finish the tournament like we have started so that we can properly celebrate team and individual achievements,” he added.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga has topped the bowling charts for the first time in his career after two successive three-wicket hauls against South Africa and England. He replaced South Africa’s Tabraiz Shamsi, who was at the top since 10 April this year.

At the top of the all-rounders’ ranking, Mohammad Nabi has caught up with Shakib Al Hasan on 271 rating points.