Islamabad( The COW News Digital) The International Cricket Council (ICC) has released its latest One Day International (ODI) and T20 rankings, revealing significant shifts among top players. Pakistan’s former number one batsman, Babar Azam, has slipped one position to third in the ODI rankings, signaling a competitive season among international cricketers.
India’s Shubman Gill remains firmly at the top spot in the ODI batter rankings, showcasing consistent form. Indian captain Rohit Sharma climbed one place to secure the second position, while veteran Virat Kohli sits at fourth, demonstrating India’s dominance in the ODI batting lineup. Australia’s Travis Head improved by one spot to 12th, highlighting his steady performances in recent matches.
Pakistan’s ODI captain, Mohammad Rizwan, experienced a slight setback, dropping one position to rank 23rd. Meanwhile, the T20 rankings displayed notable progress for Pakistan’s fast bowlers. Haris Rauf climbed two spots to 24th with 575 points, while Abbas Afridi improved one place to reach 26th with 572 points. Both bowlers have contributed consistently to Pakistan’s bowling attack in international fixtures.
Spin bowlers also saw changes in their rankings. Pakistan’s Sufiyan Muqeem and left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Afridi improved to 33rd and 34th positions, respectively, reflecting their rising impact on the field. Conversely, Mohammad Nawaz dropped two positions to 58th, Abrar Ahmed fell one rank to 61st, and Shadab Khan slipped to 73rd, indicating mixed fortunes for Pakistan’s spin department.
In the broader ODI bowling rankings, New Zealand’s Jacob Duffy retains his top position, followed by England’s Adil Rashid at second, and West Indies’ Akeal Hosein in third, demonstrating strong competition among international bowlers.
The ICC rankings, widely regarded as the benchmark for evaluating player performance, reflect ongoing dynamics in world cricket. Analysts suggest that Babar Azam’s slight drop does not undermine his abilities but highlights the rising challenge from other international stars. Both Pakistan and global cricket enthusiasts are now closely monitoring the rankings as teams gear up for upcoming series and tournaments.
With continuous shifts in player standings, the ICC rankings remain a vital reference point for selectors, fans, and cricket strategists worldwide. Pakistan’s players aim to regain and improve their positions through consistent performances in the coming series.
