Shaheen once again tops ICC Men's ODI Bowling Rankings

Pakistan’s premier pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi has ascended to the top of the ICC Men’s ODI Bowling Rankings. 

Afridi took eight wickets at an impressive average of 12.62 in Pakistan’s recent ODI series victory over Australia, propelling him three places to overtake South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj, who slipped to third. 

Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan maintained his position in second.

Afridi had earlier briefly held the top spot during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in India. 

His teammate, Haris Rauf, saw a significant boost, jumping 14 places to reach a career-best 13th position after being named Player of the Series in Pakistan’s 2-1 win over Australia. 

Naseem Shah also achieved a personal milestone, climbing 14 spots to a joint 55th place in the rankings.

Following Afridi’s rise to the top, the top-ranked players in both batting and bowling rankings are now from Pakistan as star batter Babar Azam continued his dominance.

The right-handed batter extended his lead atop from India’s Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli, respectively, courtesy of his 80 runs across three matches against Australia, in which he was dismissed only once.

Pakistan’s newly-appointed white-ball captain Mohammad Rizwan also made gains as he jumped two spots to a joint 23rd in the ODI batting rankings following his 74 runs in three innings against Australia.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s veteran Mohammad Nabi, who is set to call time on his glittering ODI career, remained at the top of the all-rounders’ rankings.

He is followed by Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza and compatriot Rashid in the list.