COLOMBO: New Zealand wicket-keeper/batsman Brendon McCullum and Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal have taken over as the leading batsman and bowler in the latest ICC Twenty20 players’ rankings.

The latest rankings that were released on Thursday incorporate the Pakistan-Australia, India-New Zealand and England-South Africa Twenty20 series that were forerunners to the ICC World Twenty20 2012.

McCullum’s 55-ball 91 against India in Chennai on Tuesday helped move him to the top of the rankings table, while David Warner’s 59 – which included six sixes – for Australia against Pakistan in the third and final match at Dubai on Monday, has seen him leap six places up the rankings to fourth.

Yuvraj Singh re-entered the rankings after his comeback to action following his battle against cancer. He comes into the rankings in the 15th spot and marked his return with 34 against New Zealand in Chennai.

The batsman losing the most ground was England’s Eoin Morgan who has fallen from the No 1 spot to ninth, losing eight places.

Last week, Saeed Ajmal became the No 1 ranked bowler in the ICC players’ rankings for ODI bowlers, and his six wickets in the three-match Twenty20 series against Australia in Dubai has helped him to take the No 1 spot in the world in Twenty20 cricket – overtaking England’s Graeme Swann, who picked up three wickets in the three-match series against South Africa.

Saeed’s overall rating of 782 points is also a career best.

Meanwhile, Shane Watson moved up eight places to seventh in the bowlers’ table with his highest ever rating of 650. Watson also holds the No 1 rank in the players’ rankings for all-rounders with his highest-ever rating of 475, achieved in the series against Pakistan.

Pakistan fast bowler Umar Gul has moved back into the top 20 in the bowlers’ table with a four place rise to sit in 18th position.

Meanwhile, England head into the ICC World Twenty20 2012 as the No 1 ranked team on the ICC T20 Championship table.—Agencies