In a monumental moment for Pakistan cricket, Sadia Iqbal has ascended to the top of the ICC Women’s T20I bowling rankings, dethroning England’s Sophie Ecclestone to claim the coveted No.1 position. The 29-year-old left-arm orthodox spinner becomes the latest symbol of Pakistan’s cricketing resurgence, having played a pivotal role in their recent successes. This marks a return to the summit for Iqbal, who had first reached the top during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024.
Her rise to the top has been anything but coincidental. Iqbal ended 2024 with remarkable numbers; 30 wickets in 19 matches at an average of 14.30, making her the joint-highest wicket-taker among Full Member nations alongside India’s Deepti Sharma. With 59 wickets in 47 T20Is at an impressive average of 17.52, Iqbal has solidified her reputation as a relentless operator with the ball.
The latest update in the ICC Women’s Player Rankings saw Iqbal leapfrog Sophie Ecclestone, who dropped three spots to fourth after missing England’s recent T20I series against the West Indies.
England’s new head coach Charlotte Edwards had confirmed that Ecclestone was “physically not quite at 100%” following a knee injury sustained during the Women’s Premier League, where she played for UP Warriorz. The injury-induced absence worked in Iqbal’s favor, allowing her to reclaim her place at the top. Ecclestone has since returned to domestic action with Lancashire Women.
While the update in rankings has sparked widespread celebration, Iqbal herself has remained grounded and grateful. In a heartfelt message delivered via the Pakistan Cricket Board, she shared her emotions upon receiving the news.
“I’ve become the number one ranked T20I bowler, I’d like to thank everyone who is celebrating this achievement, I’ve received a lot of calls and messages,” Iqbal said in a Pakistan Cricket Board video. “I’m glad that everyone is happy for me and appreciative of my achievement.”
Iqbal’s journey to the pinnacle has been guided and inspired by none other than former Pakistan captain and spin legend Sana Mir. Mir, herself a former No.1 bowler in women’s cricket, played a mentoring role in shaping Iqbal’s mindset and skillset during tours and major tournaments.
“She (Sana Mir) obviously had a lot of experience in women’s cricket. The way she’s served Pakistan cricket, she has been number one bowler during her days. I used to keep talking to her while we were on tour regarding bowling different variations. Even when we were at the World Cup, I had a really good conversation about bowling with her. She helped me a lot.”
Iqbal’s form was instrumental in Pakistan’s dominant run at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 Qualifier held at home. Snaring nine wickets in five matches, she spearheaded an undefeated campaign that earned Pakistan and Bangladesh spots in the eight-team World Cup set to be staged in India later this year. Her consistency and control were central to Pakistan punching their ticket to the marquee event.
With qualification secured, Iqbal now sets her sights on replicating the same form on the biggest stage. Her focus, however, remains team centric.
“World Cup is the biggest event; we’ve secured our qualification recently. Our goal is to play the way we did in the Qualifier. We’ll look to pick from where we ended that tournament and hope to finish the World Cup the same way. For me, the team always comes first. And that helps me as well as the team. My goal is to help my team win the World Cup.”
Elsewhere in the rankings, Deepti Sharma and Annabel Sutherland have moved up to second and third positions respectively following Ecclestone’s drop. England’s Lauren Bell climbed an impressive 13 spots to reach sixth after picking up seven wickets in the West Indies series, while Linsey Smith surged 37 places to 41st, and Issy Wong rose 32 spots to joint 62nd after strong performances.
In the T20I batting charts, West Indies captain Hayley Matthews rose to a career-best second position after scoring 177 runs at an average of 88.50 during the same England series. Her 765 rating points put her just 29 behind Australia’s Beth Mooney, while Tahlia McGrath slipped to third with 757.
Sadia Iqbal’s rise is more than a personal triumph—it’s a statement of Pakistan’s growing influence in the women’s game. With the World Cup on the horizon, the stage is set for Iqbal and her teammates to transform rankings into silverware.
(Quotes sourced from the ICC)
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