Pakistan on Top of the World, No. 1 in ICC T20 Rankings

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Pakistan Cricket Team has returned to the top of the ICC T20 international Team Rankings for the 3^rd time in the past few months after clinching 3 match series 2-1 to their name against New Zealand.

Pakistan entered the series with 124 points (ranked no. 2) under New Zealand with 126 points (ranked no.1). However, a 2-1 series win made Pakistan jump to 126 points, whilst New Zealand slipped to 2^nd position with 123 points.

Batting first Pakistan put up a competitive total of 181 for the loss of 6 wickets. Fakhar Zaman became the highest scorer of the inning with 46 runs of 36 deliveries. Umar Amin played the final four overs and added 58 runs to the total alongside his partner. New Zealand managed  to score 163 for the loss of 6 in reply to Pakistan and ended up on the losing side.

New Zealand struggled from the start in reply to the mammoth total posted by Pakistan. More pressure was put upon them as Kane Williamson’s wicket fell apart in the fifth over. Gutill, being the highest scorer of the New Zealand side scored 53 runs off 43 deliveries. But the required run-rate had climbed to 13.57, which created ultimate pressure, costing Guptil’s wicket. Ross Taylor put up a great cameo off 10 deliveries, but Amir’s brilliance withdrew Taylor from the field.

Rankings

1. Pakistan(126)

2. New Zealand (123)

3. India (121)

4. England (119)

5. West Indies (115)

6. South Africa (112)

7. Australia (111)

8. Sri Lanka (88)