The ICC men’s ODI bowling rankings have a new leader, and it’s none other than Afghanistan’s star leg-spinner, Rashid Khan. On Wednesday, Rashid snatched the top spot from Pakistan’s pace maestro, Shaheen Shah Afridi, in the latest rankings update.
Shaheen Afridi Takes a Backseat
Shaheen’s rise to the top earlier this year was nothing short of spectacular. His eight wickets at an average of 12.62 during Pakistan’s historic series win over Australia cemented his status as one of the best in the game.
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But with Shaheen Afridi resting during the ongoing ODI series against Zimbabwe, the rankings shift was inevitable. His teammate Haris Rauf, who dazzled during the Australia series and was named Player of the Series, also faced a dip, slipping two places to 15th.
Saim Ayub’s Meteoric Rise
On a brighter note for Pakistan fans, young opener Saim Ayub’s brilliant century in the second ODI against Zimbabwe earned him an 80-place leap in the batting rankings. He now sits at 90th, while the ever-consistent Babar Azam continues to dominate as the world’s top-ranked ODI batter.
Saim’s rise is a testament to the fresh talent coming through Pakistan’s ranks. His fearless approach at the crease has already won him fans, and his future looks bright.
Jasprit Bumrah Shines in Tests
While the ODI rankings saw drama, Jasprit Bumrah made headlines in the Test arena. The Indian pacer reclaimed the No. 1 spot in the ICC Test bowling rankings after his stellar performance against Australia in Perth. Bumrah’s match figures of 8/72 powered India to a crushing 295-run win and earned him a career-high 883 rating points.
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Bumrah’s consistency this year has been remarkable. This is the third time he has topped the Test rankings in 2024, showing just how vital he is to India’s success.
India’s batters also had their moments of glory. Yashasvi Jaiswal, with his incredible consistency, jumped to a career-best second position in Test batting rankings. He now trails only England’s Joe Root. Virat Kohli’s recent heroics also saw him climb nine places to 13th, proving that King Kohli still has plenty left in the tank.
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