Has Sadia Iqbal Surpassed Sophie Ecclestone to Become No.1 T20I Bowler?
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Synopsis
In a stunning turn of events, Pakistani spinner Sadia Iqbal has overtaken England's Sophie Ecclestone to claim the top spot in the ICC Women’s T20I bowling rankings. This shift highlights the dynamic nature of women's cricket and showcases the talent emerging from Pakistan.
Key Takeaways
- Sadia Iqbal is now the No.1 T20I bowler.
- Sophie Ecclestone has fallen to fourth after injury.
- India’s Deepti Sharma and Australia’s Annabel Sutherland are second and third.
- Hayley Matthews has advanced to second in T20I batting rankings.
- Lauren Bell has reached a career-best sixth in bowling.
Dubai, May 27 (NationPress) Pakistani left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal has taken the top spot from England's Sophie Ecclestone as the No.1 T20I bowler in the most recent ICC Women's Rankings unveiled on Tuesday.
Ecclestone has dropped from first to fourth position after missing the T20I series against the West Indies due to recovery from an injury, opting to participate in domestic cricket instead.
She has been succeeded by another left-arm spinner, Sadia, while India’s Deepti Sharma and Australia’s Annabel Sutherland occupy the second and third places respectively.
Sadia briefly held the number one ranking last October during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Dubai, becoming the first player from her nation to achieve this milestone.
England’s new-ball bowler Lauren Bell has surged 13 places to a career-high sixth position after leading the series with seven wickets. Others making significant strides include Linsey Smith (up 37 places to 41st) and Issy Wong (up 32 places to joint 62nd) in the bowling rankings.
West Indies captain Hayley Matthews has ascended to a career-best-equalling second position in the ICC Women’s T20I batting rankings following a remarkable performance against England.
Matthews topped the three-match series with 177 runs, including an unbeaten century (100) in the first match in Canterbury, earning the Player of the Series title. She has surpassed India’s Smriti Mandhana and Australia’s Tahlia McGrath to reclaim second place, a position she last held in December last year.
Former England captain Heather Knight, who contributed 109 runs including an unbeaten 66 in the third match in Chelmsford, has advanced seven places to 17th, while skipper Nat Sciver Brunt has climbed five spots to ninth after scoring 92 runs and guiding her team to a 3-0 series victory. Sophia Dunkley has improved eight places to 29th.
Point of View
I believe this ranking shift reflects the incredible growth and competitiveness of women's cricket globally. Sadia Iqbal's achievement not only highlights her personal dedication and skill but also emphasizes Pakistan's emerging talent on the international stage. We stand with our athletes as they continue to inspire future generations.
NationPress
08/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the current No.1 T20I bowler?
As of now, Sadia Iqbal from Pakistan is the No.1 T20I bowler.
Why did Sophie Ecclestone drop in the rankings?
Sophie Ecclestone dropped to fourth place after missing the T20I series against the West Indies due to injury.
What notable achievement did Sadia Iqbal reach before?
Sadia Iqbal briefly held the No.1 ranking during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Dubai last year.
