By Zim Sport Live Writer
Zimbabwe all-rounder Brad Evans has climbed four places to joint 22nd in the latest ICC Men’s T20I Bowling Rankings following his impressive performances during the Namibia T20I Tri-Series.
Evans was one of Zimbabwe’s standout performers in the tournament, finishing as the leading wicket-taker with 10 wickets as the Chevrons reached Sunday’s final against South Africa.
The fast bowler took two wickets in each of Zimbabwe’s three league matches before adding to his tally in the latter stages of the competition.
His performances with the ball have been rewarded with a four-place rise in the ICC rankings, taking him to joint 22nd in the world.
Evans also made a major impact with the bat in the tri-series.
After smashing an unbeaten 37 from 24 deliveries during Zimbabwe’s five run victory on August 31, Evans also impressed in the final against South Africa, scoring his maiden T20I half-century in a losing cause.
Coming in with Zimbabwe in serious trouble at 81 for eight while chasing 206, Evans produced a remarkable unbeaten 56 from 31 balls, although Zimbabwe were eventually bowled out for 157 and lost by 48 runs.
Fellow Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani also made progress in the latest rankings, moving up two places to 30th.
South Africa won the tri-series after beating Zimbabwe in the final, while Namibia finished third.
Elsewhere, South African batters Connor Esterhuizen and Lhuan-dre Pretorius made significant gains in the T20I batting rankings following their performances during the tournament.
Esterhuizen climbed 65 places to a career-best 25th after scoring 88 against Namibia and 32 in the final, while Pretorius moved up 61 places to 43rd after scoring 94 against Zimbabwe and 101 against Namibia.
Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus also rose 16 places to 55th among batters following an unbeaten 88 against Zimbabwe, while he moved into eighth place in the all-rounder rankings.
For Zimbabwe, however, Evans’ rise provides another positive from the tri-series as the Chevrons prepare for a busy period of international cricket, including the upcoming ODI series against Australia and tours involving Bangladesh and Afghanistan.