SOUTHAMPTON: England’s Dawid Malan has replaced Pakistan captain Babar Azam as the world’s top-ranked Twenty20 batsman after a fine series against Australia, the International Cricket Council announced on Wednesday.

The 33-year-old left-hander is not a high-profile figure in the world game but has burnished his record after scores of 66, 42 and 21 against Australia saw him jump four places in the ICC standings.

Malan now has eight scores of fifty or more in just 16 career T20 Internationals, with an average of 48.71 and an equally impressive strike rate of 146.66.

Babar dropped down to number two, while Australia captain Aaron Finch remained third in the batting standings.

“Obviously his form in T20 as it stands is phenomenal and it seems to keep getting better the more he bats,” said England coach Chris Silverwood of Malan. “It’s good to watch him. He’s worked hard to get into the team and when he’s got his opportunity he’s taken it, which is superb. His record is brilliant at the moment, good on him.”

Published in Dawn, September 10th, 2020