Saadia Iqbal has made history as the first Pakistani woman to briefly claim the top spot in the ICC T20 player rankings, dethroning England’s Sophie Ecclestone, who had dominated the rankings since February 2020.
The left-arm spinner achieved this milestone after a stellar performance in the Women’s T20 World Cup opener against Sri Lanka, where she took three wickets for just 17 runs.
However, by the end of the week, Ecclestone reclaimed her position, leaving Iqbal in second place. The margin between the two players is narrow, with Ecclestone sitting at 762 rating points and Saadia Iqbal close behind at 754.
As the T20 World Cup continues, there remains a strong possibility that Iqbal could regain the top spot.
This year has been exceptional for Iqbal, who has taken 28 wickets in 17 matches, solidifying her reputation as a formidable bowler in the T20 format.
Notably, she joins former Pakistan captain Sana Mir, who once held the top position in the ICC ODI rankings in 2018-19.
Pakistan clinches victory against Sri Lanka in Women’s T20 World Cup
In their opening match of the Women’s T20 World Cup, Pakistan’s women’s cricket team delivered a remarkable performance against Sri Lanka.
Electing to bat first after winning the toss, Pakistan faced early setbacks, losing wickets regularly and finding themselves at 84-8. However, captain Fatima Sana’s crucial 30-run knock propelled the team to a respectable total of 117.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers, led by Sugandika Kumari and Chamari Athapaththu, who both took three wickets each, made life difficult for Pakistan. Despite this, Pakistan’s bowlers rose to the occasion.
Saadia Iqbal spearheaded the attack with three key wickets, while Nashra Sandhu, Omaima Sohail, and Fatima Sana each chipped in with two wickets, restricting Sri Lanka to 86 runs—31 runs short of the target.
This victory showcased Pakistan’s resilience, particularly in the face of challenges like the early loss of key wickets and the injury of opening bowler Diana Baig.
Captain Fatima Sana’s leadership was pivotal, especially in dismissing Sri Lanka’s captain, Athapaththu. The win not only gave Pakistan a strong start in the tournament but also set a positive tone for their campaign ahead.
