Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai

Dubai, Aug 11: Pakistan’s consolation victory in the third T20I against Sri Lanka has triggered notable movement in the latest ICC Women’s T20I Player Rankings, with Nashra Sandhu, Shawaal Zulfiqar and Tuba Hassan among the biggest gainers despite Sri Lanka winning the three-match series 2-1.

Sandhu was Pakistan’s biggest mover among the bowlers, climbing one place to eighth after figures of 1/17 in the third T20I. The left-arm spinner finished the series with three wickets and an impressive economy rate of 6.72.

Tuba Hassan also moved up three places to 48th in the T20I bowling rankings. From Sri Lanka, captain Chamari Athapaththu climbed five places to 36th following her contribution to the historic series win.

Sri Lanka’s success was spearheaded by Imesha Dulani, whose breakthrough campaign earned her the Player of the Series award. The right-handed batter moved up one place to 22nd in the T20I batting rankings after scoring 123 runs at an average of 61.50.

Dulani played a key role in Sri Lanka’s first bilateral T20I series victory over Pakistan since 2014. She helped set up the opening win on July 31, when Sri Lanka chased down 177 with six wickets and six balls to spare. Another successful chase in the second match on August 2 sealed the series.

Pakistan’s Shawaal Zulfiqar finished as the highest run-scorer in the series with 132 runs. Her consistency earned her a three-place rise to 49th in the latest batting rankings.

There was also movement in the all-rounders’ rankings, with Sri Lanka’s Kavisha Dilhari climbing one place to 13th. The 25-year-old was the leading wicket-taker in the series and added two more wickets in the final match.

The third T20I gave Pakistan a much-needed response after defeats in the opening two games. Their bowlers restricted Sri Lanka to 113, before Pakistan chased down the target with four wickets and 10 deliveries to spare, avoiding a clean sweep.

While Pakistan secured a consolation victory, Sri Lanka’s 2-1 series triumph and the performances of Dulani, Athapaththu and Dilhari made the hosts the biggest beneficiaries of the latest ICC rankings update.