Sadia Iqbal briefly became the first player from Pakistan to top an ICC women’s T20I player rankings
Sadia Iqbal briefly became the first player from Pakistan to top the ICC women’s T20I player rankings, surpassing Sophie Ecclestone to become the top-ranked bowler in the world. However, her reign was short-lived, as Ecclestone regained the top spot by the end of the week when the rankings were updated.
Ecclestone has held the position of top-ranked women’s T20I bowler since February 2020 and continues to dominate. Still, for a few days, Iqbal took over the throne. Iqbal first drew level with Ecclestone after an impressive performance, taking 3 for 17 against Sri Lanka in Pakistan’s opening match of the Women’s T20 World Cup. Meanwhile, Ecclestone struggled in her first match of the tournament, returning figures of 0 for 21, which allowed Iqbal to overtake her. However, Iqbal’s 1 for 23 against India and Ecclestone’s match-winning 2 for 15 against South Africa allowed the English bowler to reclaim her top spot.
The gap between them remains narrow, with only eight points separating the two (762 and 754), meaning the positions could shift again as the tournament progresses.
This year has been a standout for left-arm spinner Iqbal in T20Is. She currently holds the most wickets at the World Cup in 2024, with 28 wickets in 17 matches. Sana Mir, a former Pakistan captain, is the only other woman from Pakistan to have topped an ICC player ranking, having been the top-ranked ODI bowler in 2018-19.
Beyond the battle at the top of the T20I bowling rankings, several other players have made notable moves during the World Cup.
In the batting ranks, Suzie Bates’ knock of 27 against India moved her up two spots to seventh. Harmanpreet Kaur jumped four places to 12th after her scores of 15 against New Zealand and 29 (retired hurt) against Pakistan. Danni Wyatt-Hodge has been one of the top performers at the World Cup so far, with scores of 41 and 43 against Bangladesh and South Africa, respectively, propelling England to two victories. Wyatt’s efforts have lifted her from No. 20 to joint 18th, alongside her teammate Nat Sciver-Brunt, who scored 48 not out in the win over South Africa.
Among the bowlers, Megan Schutt’s 3 for 12 against Sri Lanka moved her up nine places into the top ten, now ranked No. 10. Within the top five, Sarah Glenn moved up to third, following a wicket in each of England’s first two games. Ash Gardner climbed three spots to sixth, and Rabeya Khan rose one place to ninth.
Nonkululeko Mlaba, who played a key role in South Africa’s win against the West Indies with 4 for 29, and followed it up with 1 for 22 against England, has surged nine places to 13th.