ISLAMABAD: Pakistan captain Babar Azam has returned to the top of the batting table in the latest International Cricket Council ICC Men’s T20I Batting Rankings, the ICC said on Wednesday.
This is the sixth time Babar has surged to the top of the T20I batting charts, while England’s Dawid Malan has slipped to second for the first time since November 2020.
ICC said in a statement that “last looking down from the top in January 2018, Azam has played a pivotal role in Pakistan’s T20 World Cup charge, making 198 runs across four innings, averaging 66 at a strike rate of 124.52.”
Babar’s opening partner Mohammad Rizwan is also now just two points away from breaking into the top-three.
Baber is already ranked No.1 in One Day International (ODIs) and seventh in Tests.
“Contrasting performances in the past week has meant Babar has turned the 11-point deficit into a 36-point lead over Malan. As such, Babar is now the only batter to sit inside the 800-point mark on 834 points, while Malan has slipped to 798 points,” the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said in a statement on Wednesday.
“Pakistan are now on 265 points, while India has slipped to 262 points after back-to-back defeats against Pakistan and New Zealand. England led the field with 279 points,” PCB said, speaking about recent T20 world cup matches.
“It is a good little motivation to be back on top of the T20I rankings,” Babar was quoted by the PCB as saying. “But the bigger picture is these performances have helped Pakistan to rise to No.2 and become the first side to qualify for the semifinals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021.”
“In a team game, each and every player has contributed, but we are well aware that the job is half done. Our focus firmly remains to maintain the standards we have set in this competition and finish the tournament like we have started so that we can properly celebrate team and individual achievements.”
After UAE winning streak, Babar Azam climbs to top of ICC Men’s T20I batting rankings
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After UAE winning streak, Babar Azam climbs to top of ICC Men’s T20I batting rankings
- It is a “good little motivation” to be back on top of T20I rankings, Babar says
- Skipper is already ranked number one in One Day International and seventh in Tests
Pakistan forms committee to negotiate financial advisory services for Islamabad airport privatization
- Committee to engage Asian Development Bank to negotiate terms of financial advisory services agreement, says privatization ministry
- Inaugurated in 2018, Islamabad airport has faced criticism over construction delays, poor facilities and operational inefficiencies
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Privatization Ministry announced on Wednesday that it has formed a committee to engage the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to negotiate a potential financial advisory services agreement for the privatization of Islamabad International Airport.
The Islamabad International Airport, inaugurated in 2018 at a cost of over $1 billion, has faced criticism over construction delays, poor facilities, and operational inefficiencies.
The Negotiation Committee formed by the Privatization Commission will engage with the ADB to negotiate the terms of a potential Financial Advisory Services Agreement (FASA) for the airport’s privatization, the ministry said.
“The Negotiation Committee has been mandated to undertake negotiations and submit its recommendations to the Board for consideration and approval, in line with the applicable regulatory framework,” the Privatization Ministry said in a statement.
The ministry said Islamabad airport operations will be outsourced under a concession model through an open and competitive process to enhance its operational efficiency and improve service delivery standards.
Pakistan has recently sought to privatize or outsource management of several state-run enterprises under conditions agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as part of a $7 billion bailout approved in September last year.
Islamabad hopes outsourcing airport operations will bring operational expertise, enhance passenger experience and restore confidence in the aviation sector.
In December 2025, Pakistan’s government successfully privatized its national flag carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), selling 75 percent of its stakes to a consortium led by the Arif Habib Group.
The group secured a 75 percent stake in the PIA for Rs135 billion ($482 million) after several rounds of bidding, valuing the airline at Rs180 billion ($643 million).
Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said this week the government has handed over 26 state-owned enterprises to the Privatization Commission.
