Table of Contents
The International Cricket Council (ICC) have revealed the latest ODI rankings, which saw a shift at the top of the bowling charts. Star Pakistan pacer Shaheen Afridi has reclaimed the No. 1 spot, establishing himself as the leading ODI bowler globally. Shaheen’s recent stellar performances has helped him become the new top-ranked bowler in the format.
Shaheen Afridi’s historic climb to the top
Shaheen’s consistent performances against Australia played a crucial role in Pakistan’s landmark series win, as he took eight wickets across three matches at an impressive average of 12.62. His relentless accuracy and pace allowed him to maintain control over Australian batters. Shaheen’s efforts earned him a jump of three places in the ODI rankings, taking him to the top with a personal best of 696 rating points, which he achieved after the final match in Perth. With his potent left-arm pace, the star pacer has become one of the most challenging bowlers in world cricket. Notably, Shaheen has replaced Keshav Maharaj, who has slipped to the third spot.
Indian bowlers maintain strong presence in top 10
Despite not playing any ODIs since August 2024, India’s bowling lineup continues to hold prominent positions in the ICC rankings. Leading the Indian bowlers, Kuldeep Yadav remains at No. 4 with 665 points, showcasing his ability to maintain his status even without recent matches. Jasprit Bumrah, whose impressive performances have kept him among the top bowlers globally, has moved up to sixth place, capitalizing on the ranking shifts caused by others’ recent performances. Mohammed Siraj, tied with New Zealand’s Trent Boult at seventh with 643 points, rounds out India’s presence in the top 10, underlining the depth of India’s pace and spin arsenal.
Also WATCH: AUS vs PAK – Babar Azam turns physio to aid Shaheen Afridi’s injury in 3rd ODI
Haris Rauf’s meteoric rise in the rankings
Another player from Pakistan who made significant strides is Haris Rauf, who was a standout in the Australia series. Rauf’s exceptional showing propelled him up 14 places, landing him at the 13th position with 618 points. Known for his aggressive pace and ability to break partnerships, Rauf’s rise in the rankings reflects his growing impact in the ODI format. A strong showing in future series could easily see him enter the top five, enhancing Pakistan’s bowling dominance on the global stage.
Australian bowlers face setbacks
The recent rankings have seen a slide for some Australian bowlers following Pakistan’s strong performance. Adam Zampa, who previously held a higher position, has now dropped five spots to sit at No. 9. Similarly, Josh Hazlewood fell by three places, moving to 10th. The rankings shift highlights the impact of Shaheen and Rauf’s performances in the recent series, underscoring Pakistan’s impressive depth in pace bowling.
