Ajmal, McCullum Lead World T20 Rankings

Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal and New Zealand batsman Brendon McCullum have taken over as the leading bowler and batsman in the latest ICC Twenty20 player rankings.

The rankings released on Sept. 13 incorporate the Pakistan-Australia, India-New Zealand and England-South Africa T20 series that were forerunners to the World Twenty20, which begins on Sept. 18 in Sri Lanka.

McCullum's 55-ball 91 against India in Chennai helped move him to the top of the rankings table.

Last week, Ajmal became the number one ranked bowler in the ODI rankings, and his six wickets in the three-match series against Australia in Dubai has helped him to take the number one spot in the shortest format of the game, overtaking England's Graeme Swann.

Meanwhile, England head into the World T20 as the number-one ranked team. South Africa, now second, however trail England by just one ratings point.

India have slipped to seventh from fourth position after their loss to New Zealand in the only game possible in the two-match series.