RANKINGS: Nortje soars to seventh in T20s, Shamsi slips to second

According to the latest ICC T20 rankings that were released on Wednesday, Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga has leapfrogged Shamsi after his impressive recent performances at the ongoing T20 World Cup, but Nortje has climbed into the top 10 for the first time in his career.

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However, Shamsi is only six rankings points behind Hasaranga.

Taking 14 wickets in Sri Lanka’s seven T20 World Cup matches thus far, Hasaranga claimed a hat-trick against South Africa, doing his damage at an economy of just 5.26. 

Other big movers include Nortje (up 18 spots to 7th), teammate Dwaine Pretorius (up 65 spots to 34th) and Shoriful Islam of Bangladesh, leaping 77 places to 38th.

Nortje recently recorded his career-best figures in T20 cricket after claiming 3/8 in South Africa’s six-wicket demolition of Bangladesh on Tuesday. 

Meanwhile, Pakistan captain Babar Azam has climbed to the No 1 spot on the men’s T20I batting rankings, having already made 198 runs across four innings at the T20 World Cup, averaging 66 at a strike rate of 124.52.

From a South African perspective, David Miller has moved up six places to 33rd, while captain Temba Bavuma leaps 35 spots to 52nd on the list.

Aiden Markram has moved down three places, but is still well placed in sixth spot as the only South African in the top 10 in the batting rankings.

The Proteas will meet England on Saturday, hoping to book their place in the T20 World Cup semi-finals.

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For now, Shakib Al Hasan still sits atop in the all-rounder rankings, though shares the spot on the podium with Afghanistan’s Mohammad Nabi.

Liam Livingstone’s bowling impact for England has led to a 57-place jump, with Namibia’s David Wiese (up 22 places to 18th) on a quest to join teammate JJ Smit (3rd) in the top 10.