In a landmark week for Pakistani cricket, Shaheen Afridi has reclaimed the No.1 spot in the ICC Men’s ODI Bowler Rankings, solidifying his position just months ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Afridi’s ascent to the top follows a series of impressive performances against Australia, where he claimed eight wickets at an outstanding average of 12.62 over three matches. His remarkable form pushed South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj down to third, while Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan held onto second.
Pakistan’s Dominance in ODI Cricket
Afridi’s return to the top spot adds to Pakistan’s dominance in ODI cricket, as Babar Azam continues to hold the title of No.1 ODI batter. The recent rankings also saw significant moves among other Pakistani players. Haris Rauf surged 14 places to 13th following his stellar 10-wicket haul and Player of the Series award against Australia. Naseem Shah also made a notable rise, climbing 14 spots to 55th.
Notable Rankings Shifts for Other International Players
Apart from the success of Pakistan’s cricketers, several players from other nations experienced significant upward movements in the rankings:
- Mohammad Rizwan of Pakistan climbed to 23rd among ODI batters, thanks to his consistent performances against Australia.
- Bangladesh’s Najmul Hossain Shanto also entered the 23rd spot in the ODI batter rankings.
- In the ODI bowling rankings, Gudakesh Motie of the West Indies moved up to 14th, while Bangladesh’s Mehidy Hasan Miraz advanced to 23rd.
T20I Rankings: Phil Salt and Wanindu Hasaranga Make Strides
In the T20I rankings, England’s Phil Salt rose to second in the batting rankings, with teammates Jos Buttler and Nicholas Pooran also making significant progress. Among bowlers, Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga climbed to second, while West Indies’ Akeal Hosein and India’s Ravi Bishnoi both secured places in the top 10.
