England star Dawid Malan loses number one spot in ICC T20 batting rankings

Dawid Malan has lost his spot at the top of the ICC 's T20 batting rankings, falling below Pakistan captain Babar Azam into second.

Malan went top of the rankings back in September last year, leapfrogging Babar and going on to record the highest ever T20 points rating for a batter (915) in December.

However, after a lean run of form which has seen him average just 25.83 this year, Malan has been knocked off top spot.

At the T20 World Cup, Malan has made scores of 28, eight and six in three innings for England so far.

Babar, meanwhile, has scored 68, nine, 51 and 70 and is the third-leading run scorer at the tournament.

"It is a good little motivation to be back on top of the T20I rankings," Babar said. "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.

"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."

Malan's England team-mate Jos Buttler has risen up the rankings from 17th to a career-best spot of ninth following his outstanding 101 not out against Sri Lanka.

Leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga has become the new number one ranked T20 bowler, overtaking South Africa's Tabraiz Shamsi after a series of impressive World Cup displays.

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Hasaranga is the tournament's leading wicket taker, having picked up 14 at an average of just 9.78 with those figures including a hat trick against South Africa.

Adil Rashid has also moved up the rankings, overtaking Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan as the number three ranked T20 bowler.

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