How Did Sadia Iqbal Reclaim the No. 1 Spot in Bowlers' Rankings?
Synopsis
Sadia Iqbal's incredible journey back to the top of the ICC Women's T20I Bowling Rankings shows her determination and skill. After outstanding performances in South Africa, she has outshone her rivals, including Annabel Sutherland and Deepti Sharma. This remarkable achievement highlights her talent and the strength of women's cricket in Pakistan.
Key Takeaways
Sadia Iqbal reclaimed the No.
1 spot in the ICC Women’s T20I Bowling Rankings.
She was the joint leading wicket-taker in the series against South Africa .
Fatima Sana showed remarkable performance, climbing in multiple rankings.
Several Indian bowlers also made significant advances in their rankings.
This series highlights the competitive nature of women's cricket.
Dubai, Feb 17 (NationPress) Sadia Iqbal has successfully reclaimed the top position in the ICC Women’s T20I Bowling Rankings following a series of remarkable performances against South Africa.
The left-arm spinner from Pakistan surged back to the pinnacle, surpassing Annabel Sutherland from Australia and India’s seasoned bowler Deepti Sharma in the latest update of the ICC Women’s Player Rankings. Iqbal’s ascent is attributed to her outstanding display in the recent three-match T20I series in South Africa, where she became the joint leading wicket-taker.
Throughout the series, Iqbal secured five wickets, with her exceptional performance being a brilliant 3-18 in the deciding match in Benoni, which played a crucial role in her return to the top of the rankings. This decisive spell elevated her two places, reinstating her to a rank she held at the end of 2024 and again briefly last year. Sutherland had claimed the top ranking just last month, but Iqbal’s consistency and match-winning contributions have now placed her back in the lead.
In further positive news for Pakistan, captain Fatima Sana made significant advances in various categories following her all-around performances in the series finale. The 22-year-old climbed 31 positions to tie for 28th in the T20I batting rankings and moved up five spots to sixth among T20I all-rounders.
Fatima’s rise was propelled by her Player of the Match performance in the final game against the Proteas, where she scored an unbeaten 47 off just 30 balls and also took two pivotal wickets, including that of South Africa’s skipper Laura Wolvaardt. Despite this, Wolvaardt experienced a slight increase in her rankings, moving up one place to fourth in T20I batting.
Meanwhile, several Indian bowlers received recognition for their performances in the rain-affected first match of their T20I series in Australia. Renuka Singh advanced six places to fifth, Arundhati Reddy jumped 19 spots to tie for 16th, and Shree Charani climbed eight spots to 39th, reflecting their effective contributions with the ball.
Point of View
I believe Sadia Iqbal's return to the top of the bowling rankings is a testament to her relentless hard work and skill. This achievement not only brings pride to Pakistan but also highlights the growing prominence of women's cricket on the global stage. We stand firmly behind our athletes as they continue to make waves in the international arena.
NationPress
20 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sadia Iqbal's recent achievement?
Sadia Iqbal has reclaimed the No. 1 position in the ICC Women’s T20I Bowling Rankings after a stellar series against South Africa.
How many wickets did Sadia Iqbal take in the series against South Africa?
She took a total of five wickets throughout the three-match T20I series.
Who did Fatima Sana outperform in the recent rankings?
Fatima Sana made significant gains in the rankings, climbing 31 places in T20I batting and advancing in T20I all-rounders.
What was Fatima Sana's performance in the final match?
She scored an unbeaten 47 runs off 30 balls and took two crucial wickets in the final match against South Africa.
Which Indian bowlers made progress in their rankings?
Renuka Singh, Arundhati Reddy, and Shree Charani all made notable advancements in their T20I bowling rankings.
