New York, South African fast bowler Anrich Nortje made significant strides in the ICC Men’s T20I Bowling Rankings, following his exceptional performance against Sri Lanka in the first week of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. Nortje’s record-breaking bowling figures helped South Africa secure a six-wicket victory, propelling him into the top ten of the rankings.

According to International Cricket Council, Nortje’s four-over spell, which yielded only seven runs and four wickets, set a new record for the best bowling figures by a South African in Men’s T20 World Cups, surpassing his previous best of 4/10 against Bangladesh in 2022. This performance catapulted him nine places up the rankings to eighth position, making him the second-highest ranked pace bowler, just behind Australia’s Josh Hazlewood.

The rankings update also highlighted significant movements for other players. Afghanistan’s Fazalhaq Farooqi entered the top 10 bowlers after taking 5/9 against Uganda, displacing Tabraiz Shamsi and Reece Topley from the top ranks. In the batting rankings, Afghanistan’s opening duo Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran made notable advances following their 154-run partnership against Uganda, with Gurbaz entering the top 20 and Zadran moving to 24th.

In the all-rounder rankings, Shakib Al Hasan overtook Wanindu Hasaranga to claim the top spot after Hasaranga’s underwhelming performance against South Africa.