Sadia Iqbal Archives

Annabel Sutherland replaces Sadia Iqbal as No.1 T20I bowler

DUBAI: Australia’s Annabel Sutherland has dethroned Pakistan’s left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal as the No. 01 bowler in the latest International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s T20I bowling rankings.

In May 2025, Sadia Iqbal de-threw England spinner Sophie Ecclestone from the top position to reclaim the number one spot in the shorter format ranking.

Sadia, 29, had played a crucial role in the Green Shirts’ unbeaten run in the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifiers in Lahore.

She was also named in the team of the tournament for her nine wickets at an impressive average of 16.

However, Following Sadia’s dip in form, now Sutherland has climbed to the top position for the first time in her career.

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Sadia Iqbal could only manage to scalp three wickets in the recently concluded three-match T20I series against Ireland.

She now sits in second place, tied with India’s Deepti Sharma at 732 points.

On the other hand, Ireland’s Orla Prendergast reached a career-best ranking after having a stellar series against Pakistan.

Prendergast was pivotal in Ireland’s 2-1 victory over Pakistan. She scored 144 runs in the three matches at a strike rate of 135.84 along with four scalps, eventually earning her player of the series award.

Orla Prendergast is now in 19th position after jumping eight spots and sixth in the all-rounder rankings.

READ: Shai Hope joins elite list with sublime century against Pakistan

Sadia Iqbal earns Category ‘A’ as PCB announces women’s central contracts

LAHORE: Sadia Iqbal, currently ranked at the top of ICC T20I bowling rankings, has been awarded a Category ‘A’ as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announces the Women’s Central Contracts for the 2025-26 season.

The PCB has also introduced an ‘E’ category, designated as the Emerging category, to encourage young and budding cricketers.

Eyman Fatima (uncapped) and Shawaal Zulfiqar (three ODIs, seven T20Is) are part of the newly introduced Emerging category.

Both players are members of the Ireland-bound Pakistan women’s squad, which is set to play three T20Is from 6 to 10 August in Dublin.

Also, both players were part of the inaugural edition of the ICC Women’s U19 World Cup held in South Africa in January 2023.

A total of 20 players have been awarded contracts across five categories, with 10 players placed in Category D.

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The contracts, which run from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026, see a substantial 50 per cent increase across all categories in player retainers.

The central contracts were finalised by the Pakistan women’s selection committee in consultation with head coach Muhammad Wasim.

Over the next 12 months, the Pakistan women’s team will participate in two ICC events, the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup (September-October 2025) and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup (June 2026), in addition to playing bilateral series both at home and away.

Among the 20 contracted players, Aliya Riaz (Category B), Natalia Parvaiz (Category D), Sidra Nawaz (Category D), Waheeda Akhtar (Category D), Eyman Fatima, and Shawaal Zulfiqar (both Category E) are new inclusions.

In addition to Sadia Iqbal, Diana Baig (promoted from Category C to B) and Rameen Shamim (from Category D to C) have earned upgrades.

Category A: Fatima Sana, Muneeba Ali, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin

Category B: Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Nashra Sundhu

Category C: Rameen Shamim

Category D: Gull Feroza, Najiha Alvi, Natalia Parvaiz, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sidra Nawaz, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, and Waheeda Akhtar

Category E: Eyman Fatima and Shawaal Zulfiqar

READ: Trophy unveiled for Pakistan-Ireland T20I series

Sadia Iqbal eyes team glory over rankings ahead of Women’s World Cup 2025

KARACHI: Pakistan’s Sadia Iqbal, the number one bowler in T20I rankings, has her eyes set on delivering for the team rather than chasing personal milestones in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025.

Speaking to the media in Karachi on Monday, the left-arm spinner, who recently reclaimed the number one spot in ICC T20I bowling rankings, said she doesn’t view retaining the top ranking as a challenge.

“It’s a matter of pride to become the number one bowler in ICC T20I rankings. Rankings keep fluctuating, so I don’t consider it a challenge,” she said.

“When you play a World Cup, the competition is bigger. My effort is to not only keep my ranking but also help Pakistan improve its standing.”

Sadia Iqbal has recently taken up the added responsibility of bowling with the new ball, something she admits is tough for a spinner but believes in putting in extra effort to deliver.

“It’s never easy to bowl with the new ball, especially as a left-arm spinner. But when the team puts trust in you, the responsibility increases. That’s why I train specifically for it,” she explained.

She also highlighted how she tailors her training to meet the demands of different formats.

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“ODIs and T20Is are different formats, so I prepare for them individually. My goal is to adjust to match situations and deliver for the team,” she concluded.

Pakistan’s women’s team will next play a three-match T20I series against Ireland in Dublin on August 7, 10, and 11, before heading into the World Cup.

As per the ICC schedule, Pakistan will kick off their World Cup campaign against Bangladesh on October 2 in Colombo.

The much-anticipated clash against India will take place on October 5, followed by their final group-stage fixture versus Sri Lanka on October 24.

Due to the ‘fusion formula’, which avoids bilateral travel between Pakistan and India for ICC events, all of Pakistan’s matches will be played in Colombo.

The semi-finals are scheduled for October 29 and 30 in Guwahati/Colombo and Bengaluru, respectively, while the final is set for November 2 in Bengaluru, unless Pakistan qualify, in which case the final will be shifted to Colombo.

READ: Shadab Khan likely to miss Asia Cup 2025 amid ongoing recovery

Pakistan’s Sadia Iqbal maintains top spot in ICC Women’s T20I rankings

Pakistan women’s team left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal retained the top spot in the International Cricket Council (ICC) T20I bowlers rankings as the cricket governing body released updated rankings on Tuesday.

Sadia played a crucial role in the Green Shirts’ undefeated run during the recent ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifiers held in Lahore. With her exceptional performances, Sadia Iqbal was named in the team of the tournament, taking nine wickets at an impressive average of 16.

The 29-year-old made headlines in 2024 by becoming the first bowler from Pakistan to top the ICC rankings.

Sadia Iqbal took three wickets in an outstanding performance against Asia Cup champions Sri Lanka during the T20 World Cup opener, eventually earning her the prestigious top position in the ICC rankings.

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On the back of that match-winning performance, she subsequently became the first Pakistani woman bowler to top the ICC rankings.

Along with Sadia, the national team skipper, Fatima Sana, and veteran all-rounder Nida Dar climbed the rankings ladder.

Sana advanced to 13th position in the all-rounder rankings after moving one spot ahead, while Dar also improved one place, moving to 33rd in the bowlers ranking.

“Pakistan spinner Sadia Iqbal remains at the top of the list for T20I bowlers, but it’s tight at the top with just 44 rating points separating the top 10 players,” the ICC statement said.

Meanwhile, no Pakistan batter could feature in the top 20 rankings. Australia’s Beth Mooney held firm in the top spot with 794 points, while West Indies’ Hayley Matthews is next to her with 774 points.

India’s batting maestro Smriti Mandhana has moved into third place, overtaking Australia’s Tahlia McGrath.

With batting, bowlers’ rankings also saw changes with Australia’s Annabel Sutherland advancing to the second spot after overthrowing India’s Deepti Sharma. England’s Lauren Bell also climbed two places to reach fourth position.

READ: THIS player likely to replace Shadab Khan as T20I vice-captain: reports

PCB chairman lauds Sadia Iqbal on topping ICC T20I bowling rankings

LAHORE: Mohsin Naqvi, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), on Thursday, met spinner Sadia Iqbal after she became the number one bowler in the ICC Women’s T20I rankings.

Sadia, 29, recently climbed to the top of the ICC rankings, dethroning England’s Sophie Ecclestone, who was benched during her team’s recent T20I series against the West Indies.

Her meteoric rise is the result of consistent performances, most notably in the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifiers 2025 held in Lahore, where she played a vital role in Pakistan’s unbeaten campaign.

She bagged nine wickets at an impressive average of 16 and was deservedly named in the Team of the Tournament.

During the meeting, the PCB Chairman congratulated Sadia Iqbal on her remarkable achievement, calling her rise to the top of the world rankings a proud moment for the country.

“Sadia Iqbal’s accomplishment is a matter of immense pride for Pakistan,” he said.

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“She is a star of Pakistan women’s cricket and has made the entire nation proud. This milestone is the result of her hard work and professional approach.”

Mohsin Naqvi also presented Sadia with a special “World No.1 T20I Bowler” shirt and expressed his best wishes for her continued success, particularly with the Women’s T20 World Cup around the corner.

“I hope Sadia continues this run of form into the World Cup,” he added. “She has the talent, the discipline, and the hunger to achieve even greater success in the future.”

Sadia, in return, thanked the PCB Chairman for the encouragement and vowed to maintain her performance levels.

“InshaAllah, I will continue this momentum in the World Cup as well,” she said.

PCB Chief Operating Officer Sameer Ahmed and Head of Women’s Cricket Rafia Haider were also present on the occasion.

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Sadia Iqbal reclaims number one spot in ICC T20I bowling rankings

Sadia Iqbal, Pakistan’s women’s left-arm spinner, reclaimed the number one spot in the ICC Women’s Twenty-20 International (T20I) Bowler Rankings on Tuesday.

Sadia, 29, played a vital role in the Green Shirts’ unbeaten run in the recently concluded ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifiers in Lahore.

She was named in the team of the tournament for her nine wickets at an impressive average of 16.

Sadia Iqbal de-thrown England spinner Sophie Ecclestone from the top position, who was benched in her side’s recent T20I series at home against the West Indies.

“[Sadia] was one of the leading performers at last year’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup and rises one spot on the rankings for T20I bowlers to claim top billing”, the ICC statement said.

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The spin-bowler expressed joy over her rise, crediting Sana Mir for improving her bowling.

“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,” she said in a video shared by the Pakistan Cricket Board.

“She (Sana Mir) obviously had a lot of experience in women’s cricket. The way she’s served Pakistan cricket, she has been the number one bowler during her days,” Sadia Iqbal said.

She concluded, “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.”

In batting, West Indies’ Hayley Matthews made strides after her dominant performances in the England series.

It is worth mentioning that last year, Sadia Iqbal became the first Pakistani woman bowler to reach the top spot in the ICC rankings.

She was crowned the number one bowler after her dominant performance in the Asia Cup, where Green Shirts outplayed the tournament’s champions, Sri Lanka, in the opening match.

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