KARACHI – Pakistan’s left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal has once again secured the top position in the ICC Women’s T20 International Bowling Rankings, following a string of consistent performances in recent international fixtures.
The 29-year-old, who had previously topped the rankings during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup last year, reclaimed her No. 1 spot after a standout showing in the Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifiers held in Lahore. Sadia took nine wickets during the tournament at an impressive average of 16 and was named in the Team of the Event by the ICC.
This achievement marks another significant milestone for Pakistan’s women’s cricket, as Sadia becomes the first Pakistani bowler to top the ICC Women’s T20I rankings twice.
Rankings Overview
The latest rankings update from the International Cricket Council reflects a highly competitive landscape, with just 44 points separating the top 10 bowlers globally. England’s Lauren Bell has moved up to a career-best fourth position, while Pakistan’s Nashra Sandhu has also broken into the top 10—further boosting Pakistan’s presence in the international bowling charts.
In the batting rankings, Australia’s Beth Mooney and West Indies’ Smriti Mandhana continue to lead the T20I standings.
Recognition for Pakistan
Sadia Iqbal’s resurgence to the top is being seen as a testament to the progress and development of women’s cricket in Pakistan. Her disciplined bowling, especially in high-pressure matches, has earned widespread praise from analysts and former cricketers.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has congratulated Sadia on her achievement, calling her an “inspiration for the next generation of women cricketers.”
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.