The International Cricket Council (ICC) has updated its latest rankings for both Test and One-Day International (ODI) formats, bringing some significant changes. Pakistan’s prominent players, including Shaheen Shah Afridi, Babar Azam, and others, have experienced shifts in their rankings following their recent performances. This article will provide a thorough breakdown of these changes and what they mean for Pakistan’s cricket team as they continue their journey in international cricket.
Shaheen Shah Afridi Loses Top Spot in ICC ODI Bowling Rankings
Shaheen Shah Afridi’s Decline in ODI Rankings
Shaheen Shah Afridi, who had previously reached the pinnacle of ICC’s ODI bowling rankings, has seen his position slip after a stellar rise. Afridi’s impressive performances, especially in the historic ODI series victory over Australia, earned him the top spot in the ICC rankings. However, after missing the first two ODIs in Pakistan’s series against Zimbabwe, Afridi has dropped to second place.
His absence resulted in a loss of 14 points, allowing Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan to claim the top position. Afridi’s rise to the number-one position was a result of his stunning performances in the Australia series, where he took 8 wickets at an average of 12.62, including a match-winning 3 wickets for 32 runs in the Perth ODI. Despite losing the top position, Afridi remains one of the finest ODI bowlers in the world.
Rashid Khan Climbs to Number One in ODI Bowling Rankings
On the other hand, Rashid Khan, the Afghan leg-spinner, has continued to dominate in ODI cricket, securing the top spot in the ICC ODI Bowling Rankings. His remarkable consistency in recent series against Bangladesh and South Africa has propelled him to the summit. Rashid’s performance in the Bangladesh series saw him take five wickets at an impressive economy rate of 3.57, and in the South Africa series, he claimed seven wickets, including a match-winning five-wicket haul.
With a career total of 195 wickets in just 108 ODI matches, Rashid Khan’s ascent to the number-one spot is a reflection of his consistent excellence in limited-overs cricket. He is also closing in on a major milestone, being just five wickets away from becoming the fourth-fastest bowler to reach 200 ODI wickets.
Haris Rauf’s Decline in ODI Bowling Rankings
Another notable change in Pakistan’s ODI rankings is the fall of fast bowler Haris Rauf, who has dropped two places to 15th in the ICC ODI Bowling Rankings. While Rauf has been solid for Pakistan in the series against Australia, his ranking decline reflects the rising competition in world cricket.
Impressive Rise of Saim Ayub in ODI Batting Rankings
Amid the shifts in Pakistan’s bowling rankings, there is good news for Pakistan’s batting lineup. Emerging opener Saim Ayub has made a significant jump, climbing 80 places to secure the 90th spot in the ICC ODI Batting Rankings. His blistering century against Zimbabwe was the highlight of his rise. Saim Ayub’s performance offers hope for Pakistan’s batting future, with young talent steadily coming into the fold.
Pakistan’s Performance in ICC Test Rankings: The Latest Update
Saud Shakeel’s Rise in Test Batting Rankings
In the Test cricket rankings, there has been a slight improvement for Pakistan’s vice-captain Saud Shakeel, who has climbed from 9th to 8th place with 724 rating points. Shakeel’s consistency in the longer format has earned him a rise, and he continues to be a key figure for Pakistan in the middle order.
Babar Azam’s Drop in Test Batting Rankings
Despite being one of the best batters in the world, Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam has seen a slight dip in the Test batting rankings. Babar, who was once ranked as high as the 10th spot, now finds himself in 18th place with 670 rating points. The drop comes despite some solid performances, reflecting the fierce competition at the top of the rankings in Test cricket.
Other Pakistani Batters’ Decline
Other key Pakistan batters have also experienced a drop in the ICC Test rankings. All-rounder Salman Ali Agha has fallen to 20th, with 662 rating points, while wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan now sits at 21st, with 661 rating points. This decline signifies the tough competition faced by Pakistan’s middle-order players in the Test rankings.
Yashasvi Jaiswal’s Rise in Test Batting Rankings
The latest update also saw India’s Yashasvi Jaiswal make a major rise in the Test batting rankings. Following his stunning 161 in Perth, Jaiswal climbed to second place, overtaking players like Harry Brook and Kane Williamson. Additionally, India’s Virat Kohli, following his unbeaten 100, surged up the rankings, jumping nine places to 13th. This shift in the rankings also highlights India’s dominance in world cricket.
Shaheen Afridi and Noman Ali’s Positions in Test Bowling Rankings
In the Test bowling department, Shaheen Shah Afridi maintained his position at 15th, while Noman Ali held firm at 9th. Despite the rankings shifts, both Afridi and Ali remain key assets for Pakistan’s bowling attack in the longer format.
Jasprit Bumrah Regains Top Spot in Test Bowling Rankings
India’s Jasprit Bumrah has regained the top spot in the ICC Test Bowling Rankings, following his exceptional performance in the World Test Championship series against Australia. Bumrah’s match-winning figures of 5/30 and 3/42 helped him surpass Josh Hazlewood and Kagiso Rabada, reaching a career-best 883 rating points, the highest ever by an Indian seam bowler.
Pakistan’s Standings in the ICC ODI Rankings
Babar Azam’s Continued Dominance in ODI Batting Rankings
Despite the decline in Test cricket, Pakistan’s Babar Azam continues to dominate the ODI rankings, where he holds the number one position with 809 rating points. Babar’s consistency in ODI cricket is unmatched, and he remains one of the most formidable batters in world cricket.
Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq’s Slips in ODI Batting Rankings
However, not all is well on the batting front for Pakistan in ODIs. Fakhar Zaman has slipped out of the top 10, now ranking 14th with 649 rating points. Imam-ul-Haq, who was once in the top 10, has also fallen, now sitting at 17th with 639 rating points. Mohammad Rizwan, on the other hand, has remained steady at 24th, with 605 rating points.
Key Takeaways
- Shaheen Afridi’s Decline: Afridi’s absence from the Zimbabwe series has cost him the top spot in the ICC ODI rankings.
- Rashid Khan’s Dominance: Rashid Khan’s consistent performances have propelled him to the top of the ODI bowling rankings.
- Rising Stars: Young talent like Saim Ayub is making waves in the ICC rankings, offering hope for Pakistan’s future.
- Shifts in Test Rankings: Babar Azam’s drop in the Test rankings is noteworthy, but he remains a force to reckon with in ODIs.
- Pakistan’s Consistency: Despite the drops, Pakistan continues to produce world-class players like Shaheen Afridi and Babar Azam.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why did Shaheen Shah Afridi drop in the ICC ODI rankings?
Shaheen Shah Afridi dropped in the ODI rankings due to his absence from the first two ODIs against Zimbabwe, leading to a loss of 14 rating points.
2. Who is currently ranked number one in the ICC ODI bowling rankings?
Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan has claimed the number one position in the ICC ODI bowling rankings after his excellent performances against Bangladesh and South Africa.
3. What was the reason for Babar Azam’s drop in the Test rankings?
Babar Azam’s drop in the Test rankings is attributed to tough competition at the top and some inconsistent performances in the longest format of the game.
4. Who is the fastest bowler to reach 200 ODI wickets?
Rashid Khan is just five wickets away from becoming the fourth-fastest bowler to reach 200 ODI wickets, joining the ranks of Mitchell Starc, Saqlain Mushtaq, and Trent Boult.
5. Which Pakistani player made a significant rise in the ICC ODI rankings recently?
Saim Ayub made a remarkable rise, climbing 80 places to No.90 after his blistering century against Zimbabwe.
Conclusion
The latest ICC rankings reflect the dynamic nature of international cricket, with performances constantly shifting the positions of top players. While Pakistan has experienced some drops in rankings, players like Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and young talents such as Saim Ayub continue to shine. The ongoing competition in world cricket ensures that every series and performance plays a crucial role in determining these rankings, highlighting the evolving talent and competition in global cricket.
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