In a triumphant return to the top, Pakistan’s left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal has reclaimed the No.1 spot in the ICC Women’s T20I bowling rankings, reaffirming her status as one of the most formidable forces in women’s cricket.

The latest rankings update from the International Cricket Council (ICC), released Tuesday, reshuffled the leaderboard following the England-West Indies T20I series. While some players soared through the rankings on the back of recent performances, others dropped back due to absence or lackluster form — paving the way for Iqbal’s rise.

Iqbal Capitalizes on Opportunity

Iqbal’s climb back to the top comes after a period of consistent performances and tactical brilliance, particularly in the aftermath of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. Her calculated spells and economical bowling played a key role in Pakistan’s campaign, earning her recognition even in tightly contested matches.

But the immediate catalyst for her resurgence was the absence of England’s Sophie Ecclestone, who previously occupied the top spot. Ecclestone sat out the recent series against the West Indies, and in a format where rankings are tightly contested and regularly updated, her inactivity saw her slip to fourth — giving Iqbal the opening she needed to reclaim the throne.

England’s Young Guns on the Rise

Despite Ecclestone’s fall, England’s bowling department had much to celebrate. Young pacer Lauren Bell surged 13 spots to sixth after taking an impressive seven wickets during the series. Her form continues to build a compelling case for her as England’s long-term pace spearhead in the shortest format.

Fellow bowlers Linsey Smith and Issy Wong also made dramatic gains. Smith rocketed up 37 positions to reach 41st, while Wong jumped 32 places to share 62nd position — showcasing the depth and potential of England’s bowling talent.

Hayley Matthews: The Complete T20 Package

On the batting front, it was West Indies captain Hayley Matthews who stole the spotlight. With 177 runs across three matches at an average of 88.50, she not only anchored her team’s innings but also walked away with the Player of the Series award. Her dazzling form saw her leapfrog into second place in the ICC T20I batting rankings, now breathing down the neck of Australia’s Beth Mooney, who retains the No.1 spot.

Matthews’ contributions weren’t limited to the bat. She also picked up three wickets, reinforcing her dominance as the leading all-rounder in the format. With such dual-threat capabilities, Matthews continues to be one of the most valuable players in international women’s cricket.

Australian and English Batters Shuffle Positions

Australia’s Tahlia McGrath, who had held second place in the batting rankings, slipped to third after Matthews’ rise. Meanwhile, England’s batting unit showed encouraging signs of form and consistency. Nat Sciver-Brunt’s dynamic stroke play helped her climb five spots to ninth, while veteran Heather Knight moved up seven places to joint-17th. Sophia Dunkley, with steady performances throughout the series, rose eight spots to joint-29th.

A Shifting Landscape in Women’s T20 Cricket

This latest ranking update reflects a broader trend in women’s cricket — increased competitiveness, greater global representation, and rapid shifts in form and momentum. The ascent of players from Pakistan, the West Indies, and England suggests that the traditional dominance of Australia is being increasingly challenged.

For Sadia Iqbal, her return to the top is both a personal victory and a symbolic moment for Pakistan women’s cricket. In a format dominated by explosive batting and high scores, Iqbal proves that precision, patience, and spin mastery remain invaluable assets.

As the cricketing calendar progresses with more T20Is on the horizon, fans can expect continued volatility in the rankings — and more standout performances from a rapidly evolving generation of players.