Pakistan skipper Babar Azam reclaimed the pole position in the ICC T20I batting rankings after just one week of losing it.

With scores of 0 and 7 in the first two T20Is against the West Indies, Bazar fell two spots to No.3 in last week's rankings update. However, he finished the year on top in the shortest format after registering the score of 53-ball 79 in the final game.

Babar now occupies No.1 position in both the men's T20I and ODI rankings for batters. While the right-hander has been impressive across all formats in the last few seasons, his batting in T20Is stood out this year.

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In the calendar year, Babar aggregated 939 runs at an average of 37.56 with a strike rate of 127.58. His dominance started from the tour of South Africa in April, registering scores of 50, 122, and 24. He also led Pakistan from the front during the T20 World Cup 2021, finishing the showpiece event as the highest run-getter with 303 runs from 6 innings.

In the process, Babar Azam also formed a dangerous opening combination with Mohammad Rizwan. The duo complimented each other brilliantly in 2021, making 1380 runs together, with an average partnership of 57.50.

During the T20 World Cup, Babar and Rizwan chased India's 151 unbeaten within 18 overs to open Pakistan's campaign, and put on 113 for the first wicket against Namibia in the Super 12 round. The pair also put on 71 against Australia to set up a total of 176 in the semi-final, which Pakistan dramatically lost in the end.

Meanwhile, Rizwan ended the year by advancing to No.3 in T20I batters' rankings with career-best ratings of 798. Rizwan was the Player of the Match in the final T20I against West Indies, helping his side chase 208 in less than 19 overs with a brilliant 45-ball 87.

(With ICC inputs)