Ecclestone surrenders top spot to Sadia Iqbal as new T20I leading wicket-taker emerges
Pakistan's Sadia Iqbal Climbs to Top of ICC Women's T20I Bowler Rankings
Lahore, Pakistan - Pakistani left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal has soared to the pinnacle of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Women's T20I Bowler Rankings, dethroning England's Sophie Ecclestone. The shift took place on May 26, 2025, marking a significant career milestone for Iqbal, as reported by the ICC's official website.
Iqbal was a standout performer during last year's ICC Women's T20 World Cup and moved one step further on the T20I bowler rankings to claim the top position after Ecclestone sat out England's recent home T20I series against West Indies.
Ecclestone's absence resulted in a reshuffle among the top ranks, with Iqbal reclaiming the top spot she briefly held during the 2020 T20 World Cup. Ecclestone slid to fourth overall, while England teammate Lauren Bell climbed 13 spots to sixth following her impressive seven-wicket haul during the series against West Indies.
Iqbal's compatriots, Linsey Smith and Issy Wong, also experienced gains in the rankings, improving their standings by 37 and 32 places, respectively. The boosts came after impressive performances against the West Indies.
Meanwhile, West Indies captain Hayley Matthews seized an opportunity to challenge Australia's dominance in the T20I batting rankings. Matthews' impressive series performance against England, where she scored 177 runs at an average of 88.5, pushed her to second overall on the rankings.
Australia's long-time No. 1 ranked batter, Beth Mooney, now holds a narrow advantage over Matthews. Fellow English batters Nat Sciver-Brunt, Heather Knight, and Sophia Dunkley also made notable improvements after solid performances with the bat against the West Indies, rising to ninth, 17th, and 29th positions, respectively.
Matthews also extended her lead at the top of the T20I all-rounder rankings, backed by three wickets taken during the series against England. The changes in the rankings highlight a dynamic period for women's T20I cricket, underscoring the competitive nature and growing depth in the sport.
In the midst of shifting rankings, Sadia Iqbal's career took a significant leap as she reclaimed the top spot in the ICC Women's T20I Bowler Rankings, pushing England's Sophie Ecclestone down to fourth. Meanwhile, West Indies captain Hayley Matthews capitalized on her impressive series performance to challenge Australia's dominance in the T20I batting rankings, moving into second place.
