T20I team ratings of the year 2015

Countries play few T20 internationals between them; the reason being that the international calendar for the nations usually has its focus on Tests and ODI rather than the shortest format. In 2015, Zimbabwe (11) and Pakistan (10) have played the most number T20 international matches, the most by any team this year whereas Australia has played only a single 20-20 International game. Sri Lanka will enter the New Year as the top-ranked team in the T20I rankings with 125 rating points. So, let’s take a look at the T20I team ratings of the year 2015. (Note: The teams have been listed in order of their position in the T20I ranking) 1. Sri Lanka – 3.5: Sri Lanka. (Photo by LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty Images) Sri Lanka played only two series, both at home. However, playing at home did not give them any advantage as they performed very poorly. Pakistan came touring in July and beat them 2-0. And, later, in November, West Indies came back after losing the first match to equal the 2 match series. 1-1. However, this hasn’t affected them in the rankings table as they continue remaining at the top. 2. West Indies – 7: West Indies. (Photo by S.KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images) T20 cricket is West Indies’ forte. This year began with the tour of South Africa in January which they won 2-1. Then in the later half of the year, they went to Sri Lanka in November and played well to level the series 1-1 after losing the first game. In all, they had a satisfying year in the format. 3. Australia – 5: Australia. (© Getty Images) Australia played just one T20I series this year. It was a one-off T20I series in the month of August which they lost closely by 5 runs. The Aussies failed to chase the target of 183 set by England with the help of half-centuries from Moeen Ali and Eoin Morgan. Steve Smith’s 92* put the Aussies in a strong position but the tail-enders could not handle Ben Stokes in the last over and failed to finish the job. 12 runs were required off the last six, Stokes picked two wickets and effected a run out in the over, eventually defending the target. 4. England – 9.5: England. (© INEKE ZONDAG/AFP/Getty Images) England had a highly successful year in the format. They end 2015 with a clean sheet after winning all the series they played against New Zealand, Australia and Pakistan. England played New Zealand and Australia in a one-off T20I at home and beat them comprehensively. Later, in the month of November, they travelled to UAE to face Pakistan and beat them 3-0 in a closely fought series. 5. South Africa – 8: South Africa. (© Getty Images/Gallo Images) South Africa had a mixed year. Overall, they played four series, two at home and two overseas. South Africa did well playing away from home as they won both the series they played in Bangladesh (2-0) and India (2-0) in a three-match series, but lost to New Zealand (2-1) and drew with West Indies (1-1) at home. In all, the Proteas played 10 matches and won six matches out of it. 6. Pakistan – 6: Pakistan. (© Getty Images) Pakistan had a busy T20I calendar with five series being scheduled for them this year. But, their performance was not very impressive. To be fair, there were only two important series this year – Sri Lanka and England. They went to Sri Lanka in July and did well by beating the home team 2-0 but, in November, England defeated them 3-0 in the UAE. Another shocker was when they lost the one match series in May to Bangladesh. Apart from that, Pakistan played two 2-match series with Zimbabwe. The first time Zimbabwe toured them while for a return favour Pakistan visited Zimbabwe. Overall, out of the 10 T20Is, the Men in Green won six times while losing four matches. 7. India – 2.5: Ravichandran Ashwin. (© DIBYANGSHU SARKAR/AFP/Getty Images) India played only 4 T20Is this year but could win only one out of it. In July, India went with a second string team to tour Zimbabwe and played a two-match series there which the home team managed to draw level after losing the first game. The second series was played at home with South Africa. The Proteas continued their brilliant form from the ODI series and wiped out India 2-0 in the three-match contest. The last match was washed out without a ball being bowled due to rain. 8. New Zealand – 5: Martin Guptill. (© Getty Images) New Zealand is another team which has had a mixed bag of performances this year. The Kiwis travelled to England, Zimbabwe and South Africa this year and could only manage to beat Zimbabwe 1-0 while losing to England by the same margin. Later, they played against South Africa and drew the 2-match series 1-1. In all, they played four matches and could win only two. 9. Afghanistan – 8.5: (© JEKESAI NJIKIZANA/AFP/Getty Images) Afghanistan had a busy calendar this year. they played in the World T20 qualifier and emerged as the joint winners of the tournament after rain forced the final to be abandoned. Then they toured Zimbabwe and beat them 2-0. UAE hosted Hong Kong and Oman for their home matches. The highly improving Afghanistan team shockingly lost to Hong Kong 1-0 but wiped out Oman 2-0 later. Altogether they had a very productive year. 10. Bangladesh – 6: (© MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images) Bangladesh had an ordinary year in comparison to their stupendous performance in ODI format. They played all the T20Is at Dhaka this year. Bangladesh defeated Pakistan in a one-off T20I contest in the month of April. In July, the South Africans played Bangladesh at Dhaka. The home team could not handle the Proteas as they lost the series 2-0. Then they played Zimbabwe who also managed to level the two-match series after losing the first match. In all, Bangladesh won three matches but also lost as many. (Also read: Top 7 Bowlers who have dismissed most batsmen in T20Is) Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are the personal views and opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not necessarily reflect the views of CricTracker and CT does not assume any implied responsibility or liability for the same.