🏏 Abrar Ahmed Breaks Into Top Five, Sahibzada Farhan Surges in ICC T20I Rankings
🚨 Pakistan Stars Shine in ICC T20I Rankings
The latest ICC Men’s T20I rankings update has delivered a fresh wave of excitement for Pakistan cricket fans. While seasoned names like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan slipped further down the charts, two emerging players – Abrar Ahmed and Sahibzada Farhan – stole the headlines.
Abrar Ahmed, Pakistan’s mystery spinner, has broken into the top five T20I bowlers for the first time, while Farhan surged an incredible 31 places in the batters’ list after his brilliant performances in the ongoing ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025.
This development signals a possible changing of the guard in Pakistan cricket, with younger players rising to prominence while established names battle inconsistency.
📈 Sahibzada Farhan’s Remarkable Rise in Batting Rankings
🌟 From Bench Player to Breakthrough Star
Sahibzada Farhan’s story is one of patience and perseverance. Often overlooked in favor of more experienced openers, Farhan finally grabbed his chance during the Asia Cup. His composed 58-run knock against India in the Super Four stage was not only match-defining but also a turning point for his international career.
🔥 Ranking Surge Explained
- Climbed 31 places to reach 24th position with 589 points.
- Outperformed Pakistan’s senior batters in high-pressure situations.
- Showed versatility against both pace and spin in crucial encounters.
This rise places Farhan among the top 25 T20I batters globally, making him a vital part of Pakistan’s white-ball plans moving forward.
🌀 Abrar Ahmed: Pakistan’s Mystery Spinner Enters Elite Club
🎯 Breaking Into the Top Five
Abrar Ahmed’s performances in the Asia Cup have been nothing short of spectacular. Known for his deceptive variations, Abrar bamboozled opposition batters with accuracy and control, earning him a 12-place jump in the ICC rankings.
- Now ranked 4th in T20I bowling with 703 points.
- Closing in on the likes of Varun Chakaravarthy, Jacob Duffy, and Akeal Hosein.
- First time breaking into the top five, a major milestone for his career.
🧩 The Impact on Pakistan’s Bowling Attack
Abrar’s rise cements Pakistan’s reputation as a country that produces world-class bowlers across formats. His ability to thrive in T20s adds variety to a bowling unit already boasting the pace of Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf.
📊 The Fall of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan
⬇️ Why Pakistan’s Senior Duo Are Struggling
While Pakistan celebrates the rise of new stars, concerns remain over the dip in form of its biggest names:
- Babar Azam dropped nine places to 35th.
- Mohammad Rizwan slipped five spots to 38th.
Both players haven’t featured in a T20I for Pakistan since 2024, and their absence, coupled with underwhelming domestic form, has seen their rankings suffer.
🤔 What This Means for Pakistan’s Batting Strategy
- Team management may shift focus toward Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, and Salman Ali Agha.
- Babar and Rizwan must rediscover form quickly to avoid being overshadowed by younger talent.
⚡ Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf: Pace Duo on the Rise
Pakistan’s fast-bowling stars also enjoyed upward momentum:
- Shaheen Afridi climbed to 25th.
- Haris Rauf rose to 28th.
Both pacers were instrumental in Pakistan’s Asia Cup campaign, regularly providing breakthroughs in powerplays and death overs. Their rise ensures that Pakistan’s pace department remains one of the most feared in world cricket.
📉 Players Who Lost Ground in the Rankings
Not every Pakistani cricketer enjoyed success in the latest rankings update:
- Saim Ayub dropped eight places to 55th.
- Hasan Nawaz fell 11 spots to 58th.
- Mohammad Haris slipped to 90th.
- Sufiyan Muqeem lost three places to 14th in the bowling charts.
- Mohammad Nawaz dropped 13 places to 46th.
- Abbas Afridi fell to 44th.
These declines highlight the inconsistency plaguing Pakistan’s younger core, emphasizing the need for stability and adaptability in international cricket.
🌍 Global T20I Rankings: The Bigger Picture
🏏 Top Batters
- Abhishek Sharma (India) – World No. 1
- Phil Salt (England) – World No. 2
- Tilak Varma (India) – Climbed to No. 3
- Jos Buttler (England) – Dropped to 4th
Farhan’s entry into the top 25 puts him in elite company alongside the likes of Salt and Varma.
🎳 Top Bowlers
- Varun Chakaravarthy (India) – No. 1
- Jacob Duffy (New Zealand) – No. 2
- Akeal Hosein (West Indies) – No. 3
- Abrar Ahmed (Pakistan) – No. 4
Abrar’s rise ensures Pakistan remains represented among the best global bowlers.
🏏 Top All-Rounders
- Hardik Pandya (India) – No. 1
- Mohammad Nabi (Afghanistan) – No. 2
- Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe) – No. 3
- Saim Ayub (Pakistan) – Holding at 5th despite batting struggles.
🏆 Pakistan’s Asia Cup 2025 Campaign: Context Behind the Rankings
The Asia Cup has been the stage where Pakistan’s fortunes shifted:
- Farhan’s match-winning innings against India boosted his ranking.
- Abrar’s breakthroughs in the middle overs elevated his global status.
- Shaheen and Haris capitalized on pressure situations, improving their pace rankings.
However, losses of form among senior players during this tournament added to their decline.
🔎 Cricketory Insights & Analysis
At Cricketory, our analysis reveals three key trends:
Emerging Talent Outshining Seniors
- Farhan and Abrar represent a generational shift.
- Pakistan must back youth in upcoming ICC tournaments.
Babar & Rizwan at a Crossroads
- Both legends need consistent T20I exposure to regain form.
- Their absence leaves Pakistan overly reliant on untested batters.
Bowling Remains Pakistan’s Strength
- With Shaheen, Haris, and Abrar in form, Pakistan boasts a balanced bowling lineup.
- If spinners and pacers fire together, Pakistan could dominate the 2026 T20 World Cup.
🛠️ What Pakistan Must Do Moving Forward
To capitalize on these gains, Pakistan should:
- ✅ Back Farhan as a long-term opener.
- ✅ Build around Abrar as the spin spearhead.
- ✅ Manage workloads of Shaheen & Haris.
- ✅ Reintegrate seniors like Babar and Rizwan smartly.
- ✅ Invest in young batters like Saim Ayub with specialized training against spin.
💬 Fan & Media Reactions
Social media lit up after the latest rankings update:
One fan wrote:
“Abrar in the top 5 and Farhan in the top 25 – finally Pakistan cricket is evolving!”
Another added:
“Sad to see Babar and Rizwan fall, but maybe it’s time for the new guys to step up.”
Cricket experts also hailed Abrar’s rise as a game-changer for Pakistan’s spin department.
🔑 Conclusion: A Turning Point for Pakistan Cricket
The latest ICC T20I rankings reflect a shift in power within Pakistan cricket. With Abrar Ahmed and Sahibzada Farhan leading the charge, Pakistan has fresh match-winners ready for the big stage.
While the decline of Babar Azam and Rizwan is concerning, it also opens doors for a new generation of stars to define Pakistan’s future.
If Pakistan can strike the right balance between experience and youth, they could be among the favorites for the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.