DUBAI: Afghanistan’s star leg-spinner Rashid Khan has overtaken Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi to claim the top spot in the ICC ODI bowling rankings. The latest update, released by ICC on Wednesday, also highlighted standout performances in both ODI and Test formats, shaking up the charts.
Shaheen Afridi, who reached the top of the ODI bowling rankings after an exceptional series against Australia, where he claimed eight wickets at an average of 12.62, has slipped following his absence in Pakistan’s ongoing series against Zimbabwe.
His teammate Haris Rauf, a key contributor to Pakistan’s 2-1 series win over Australia earlier this month, also fell two places to 15th in the ODI rankings.
South Africa’s left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj retained his position at third, maintaining his consistent form in the format.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s emerging batting talent, Saim Ayub, grabbed the spotlight in the ongoing ODI series against Zimbabwe.
Ayub’s explosive century in Pakistan’s dominant 10-wicket win in the second ODI propelled him 80 places to 90th in the ODI batting rankings. Pakistan’s skipper Babar Azam continues to lead the ICC batting charts with his consistency.
Bumrah Back on Top in Tests Bowling Rankings
India’s Jasprit Bumrah reclaimed the number-one position in the ICC Test bowling rankings following his stellar performance in the opening Test of the five-match series against Australia in Perth.
Bumrah’s match-winning figures of 8/72 played a crucial role in India’s commanding 295-run victory, earning him career-best 883 rating points – the highest by an Indian pacer in Test history.
With this achievement, Bumrah surpassed Josh Hazlewood and Kagiso Rabada to top the Test rankings. He now trails only Indian spinners Ravichandran Ashwin (904) and Ravindra Jadeja (899) for the highest-ever rating points by Indian bowlers.
This marks the third time in 2024 that Bumrah has reached the summit of the Test rankings, having previously held the position for brief periods in February and October.
On the batting side, India’s Yashasvi Jaiswal achieved a career-best second place, overtaking England’s Harry Brook and New Zealand’s Kane Williamson.
Jaiswal’s century in India’s dramatic comeback win against Australia was instrumental in his rise. Virat Kohli also climbed nine spots to 13th following his century in the same match.
Joe Root continues to dominate the Test batting rankings, with Jaiswal inching closer to the top spot.
