DUBAI: Pakistan’s impressive performances in the recently concluded ODI tri-series have earned the national cricketers significant gains in the latest ICC men’s ODI rankings, with Shaheen Shah Afridi breaking into the top five bowlers and Fakhar Zaman making a remarkable nine-place jump in batting.
According to the latest rankings released by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday, Shaheen climbed one position to fifth in the ODI bowling rankings, collecting 621 rating points. The Pakistan captain’s rise came after an impressive campaign in which he claimed 10 wickets in five matches, finishing as the tournament’s second-highest wicket-taker.
Fellow fast bowler Haris Rauf also benefited from his strong performances, moving up five places to 24th after taking seven wickets in five matches.
However, Pakistan’s mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed slipped one position to fourth, having missed all of the team’s matches during the tri-series.
Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan maintained his position at the top of the ODI bowling rankings, while South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj remained second.
In the batting category, Fakhar emerged as Pakistan’s biggest gainer, climbing nine places to 37th with 548 rating points.
The left-handed opener’s rise followed a spectacular century against Sri Lanka in the tri-series final at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. Fakhar smashed 127 off just 99 balls, hitting 11 fours and six sixes to help Pakistan secure the title.
The innings was particularly significant as it ended his three-year wait for an ODI century. His previous hundred was an unbeaten 126 against New Zealand during the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam retained his position as the country’s highest-ranked ODI batter, staying ninth with 661 points. Salman Ali Agha also held his 13th position with 622 points.
Meanwhile, Mohammad Rizwan dropped two places to 44th, while Saim Ayub slipped four positions to joint 68th. All-rounder Shadab Khan also fell one spot to 93rd.
At the top of the batting rankings, India’s Shubman Gill continued to lead with 841 points, followed by New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell and India’s Virat Kohli.
The latest update reflects Pakistan’s encouraging form in the tri-series, with Shaheen, Haris and Fakhar emerging as the biggest beneficiaries of the tournament.
