Wasim rises to top of the world

Champions Trophy winner Pakistan can now boast possessing the No.1 T20 international bowler in the world after Imad Wasim leapfrogged South Africa’s Imran Tahir to take top spot.

Tahir slipped from first to third after he claimed combined figures of 1-75 in two matches in England where the hosts won a three-match T20I series 2-1 to move into outright second spot behind New Zealand in the team rankings.

The leg-spinner’s slide has put Wasim in the prime position with India seamer Jasprit Bumrah in second spot.

Wasim claimed just the two wickets in Pakistan’s Champions Trophy triumph but contributed a handy 25 not out in the tournament final against arch-rivals India.

It’s in the shortest format of the game where Wasim’s left-arm orthodox finger spin has been so effective.

In 19 matches he’s captured 23 wickets while conceding just 5.83 runs per over – a remarkable figure given the pyrotechnics of T20 cricket.

While there was some movement at the top of the T20I bowler rankings, there was no shifting in the batter or allrounder lists.

India captain Virat Kohli remains the No.1 T20I batter, ahead of Australia’s Aaron Finch and Black Caps skipper Kane Williamson.

Shakib Al Hasan of Bangladesh is the premier allrounder in the world, with the dynamic Australian Glenn Maxwell in second and Afghanistan’s Mohammad Nabi.