Ranking the Top 10 T20I Teams in 2018

2018 is going to come to an end and the next year is one of the most awaited ones with the World Cup set to happen. There have been many surprises and many thrilling games as well as pure class and sheer dominance.

When we say surprises and thrill, the T20 format is the first thing that comes to our mind. Currently, Pakistan top the ICC T20I Team Rankings while India slot in at second.

In this segment, let us take a look at the ranks of the top 10 teams based only on their performances in T20Is in 2018.

Rating System: Win Ratio + Number of matches won

(Games against teams below the Top 10 will not be counted)

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#10 New Zealand

Matches: 13

Won: 3

Lost: 9

NR: 1

Rating: 5.3

Most people will be surprised to see New Zealand's name on this list with players like Colin Munro in their ranks but New Zealand have had a below par outing in T20Is. Most of the matches they lost was against Pakistan(5) and Australia(3). Despite their losses, most of their games were entertaining and they came close to a win before losing. They have been excellent in other formats, though.

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#9 South Africa

Matches: 7

Won: 4

Lost: 3

Rating: 6

South Africa feature in 9th position but this is only because of our rating system. The Proteas haven't played many games hence the low rating for them. They have been good in ODIs and exceptional in Test matches. They played against India and lost 2 games and 1 game against Sri Lanka while winning a one-off T20 against Australia.

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#8 West Indies

Matches: 15

Won: 4

Lost: 10

NR: 1

Rating: 6.9

West Indies played a lot of T20I matches this year and discovered a lot of young stars like Hetmyer and Oshane Thomas but weren't able to win games in the first half of the season. They were in good form against Bangladesh in the recently concluded series and are slowly starting to get back in form.

Bangladesh were among the most improved T20I teams in 2018

#7 Bangladesh

Matches: 16

Won: 5

Lost: 11

Rating: 8.1

Bangladesh had a mixed year in 2018 but barring the efforts of a few players like Shakib and Mushfiqur, there hasn't been much to celebrate for the Tigers. They were whitewashed by Afghanistan and India in 3 T20Is and didn't stand a chance against them.

Bangladesh played 6 games against the Windies and won 3 games. Against Sri Lanka, they won 2 games out of 4. Most of their wins were due to match winning performances from Shakib who has been in top form this year.

Bangladesh who made it to the Asia Cup Final have a lot of work to do before the World Cup and their players need to equip themselves if they want to survive in international conditions.

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#6 England

Matches: 9

Won: 4

Lost: 5

Rating: 8.4

The England national team had a great year in the ODI format as they went on a winning streak and rose rapidly to the top of the ICC ODI Rankings. In T20s, though, depsite playing entertaining cricket they weren't able to win 50% of their matches.

They lost a T20I series against Australia and India with the scoreline 1-2 and drew a series against New Zealand 1-1 and won a one-off T20I series against Sri Lanka. England will be one of the favorites to win next year's World Cup.

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#5 Sri Lanka

Matches: 8

Won: 4

Lost: 4

Rating: 9

Sri Lanka had a mixed outing in 2018 and their T20I stats is no different. They had a change in captaincy after Angelo Matthews wasn't producing results. They won 4 games and lost 4 games as well.

Most of their matches were played against Bangladesh(4) of which they won 2 games. They won 1 and lost 1 against India and lost to England while beating South Africa. Sri Lanka have had a few standout performers but there are lot of holes to be filled before the World Cup.

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#4 Australia

Matches: 19

Won: 10

Lost: 8

NR: 1

Rating: 11.7

Australia have slowly started to get back on their feet after the 'Sandpaper' controversy rocked the cricketing world. They have adapted to the absence of their key players and have unearthed new stars and built a strong T20I side.

Glenn Maxwell and Aaron Finch were their standout performers as they defeated Zimbabwe and U.A.E with ease. They lost 5 games to Pakistan winning just 1 game. Their greatest joy came when they defeated England 2-1 and whitewashed New Zealand. Australia's stars will be back for the World Cup and their team is getting back in the right direction.

Pakistan ended the year as the best T20I team

#3 Afghanistan

Matches: 7

Won: 7

Lost: 0

Rating: 13

Afghanistan have a perfect record in the few T20Is they have played this year. They defeated Ireland and Zimbabwe in 2 T20Is while their real success was in their drubbing of Bangladesh away from home.

Players like Rashid Khan and Mujeeb were in top form and Afghanistan might well make it to the quarter finals if they continue playing this way and continue to train properly.

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#2 India

Matches: 19

Won: 14

Lost: 4

NR: 1

Rating: 21.4

India have had a great year and they have performed well in T20Is as well. They never lost a series despite playing so many matches and were unlucky not to win the T20I series in Australia after the 2nd game was washed away.

They whitewashed Bangladesh, Ireland and West Indies while losing 1 to England, Sri Lanka, South Africa and Australia. The Indian team seems balanced and will certainly be on of the strong contenders to win the World Cup.

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#1 Pakistan

Matches: 19

Won: 17

Lost: 2

Rating: 21.7

Pakistan have undoubtedly been the best T20I side this year and their stats support them. Their top order led by Babar Azam has been excellent while their pace bowling lineup is filled with young talents while spinner Shadab Khan has made heads turn with his bowling.

They thrashed Zimbabwe, Scotland and won 5 T20Is against Australia losing just 1 game. Pakistan won 5 T20Is against New Zealand as well losing just 1 while beating West Indies 3-0 in their meeting. Pakistan have the talent, resources and experience to win the World Cup and if they aren't favorites, they can emerge the dark horses of the tournament.