Imad Wasim rises to number one in ICC T20I rankings

Left-arm spinner takes over Proteas' Imran Tahir, who slipped two places after having poor series against England

Wales-born Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim has overtaken South Africa’s Imran Tahir to become the number one bowler in the International Cricket Council (ICC) T20I ranking.

In the latest ICC T20I player rankings for bowlers, which was updated a day after England beat South Africa 2-1 in the three-match series, leg-spinner Tahir has slipped two places after having a poor series, where he only managed one wicket in two matches.

Tahir’s drop to the third spot means Imad, who made his debut for the Men in Green in the shortest format of the game in May 2015, has surged to the top for the first time in his career, with India’s fast-bowler Jasprit Bumrah rising to second.

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The 28-year-old has so far represented Pakistan in 19 T20Is, where he claimed 23 wickets at an impressive average of 16.73 and at a strike rate of 17.2.

In that period, Imad’s economy rate of 5.83 is the best in the world amongst bowlers who bowled more than 50 overs in the T20Is.