Sadia Iqbal’s brief reign as the top-ranked ICC women’s T20I bowler was a historic moment for Pakistan cricket. However, Sophie Ecclestone quickly reclaimed the top spot, highlighting the intense competition at the pinnacle of the sport.
Iqbal’s rise to the top was fueled by her impressive performance in the ongoing Women’s T20 World Cup. She equaled Ecclestone’s ranking after taking three wickets for 17 runs against Sri Lanka in Pakistan’s opening match. Ecclestone’s return of 0 for 21 against South Africa allowed Iqbal to briefly overtake her.
However, Iqbal’s subsequent performance against India (1 for 23) and Ecclestone’s Player-of-the-Match winning 2 for 15 against South Africa saw the English spinner regain her top ranking. The gap between the two remains narrow (762 points for Ecclestone, 754 for Iqbal), indicating the possibility of further changes in the rankings.
Iqbal’s success is a testament to her exceptional skills as a left-arm spinner. She has taken the most wickets (28) in T20Is in 2024 among all players participating in the World Cup. Sana Mir, the former Pakistan captain, is the only other Pakistani woman to top an ICC player table, having been the top-ranked ODI bowler in 2018-19.
Beyond the top two, several other players have made notable movements in the rankings. Suzie Bates’ 27 runs against India lifted her to seventh place among batters, while Harmanpreet Kaur’s performances against New Zealand and Pakistan saw her rise to 12th. Danni Wyatt-Hodge’s impressive scores against Bangladesh and South Africa helped her climb to joint 18th.
Among bowlers, Megan Schutt’s 3 for 12 against Sri Lanka propelled her into the top ten at No. 10. Sarah Glenn moved up to third, behind Ecclestone and Iqbal, while Ash Gardner and Rabeya Khan also made significant gains. Nonkululeko Mlaba’s impressive performances for South Africa saw her rise nine spots to 13th.
The ongoing Women’s T20 World Cup has showcased the depth of talent in women’s cricket. The competition for rankings positions remains fierce, with players from various nations vying for supremacy. As the tournament progresses, further changes in the rankings are likely, reflecting the unpredictable nature of the sport.
