Shaheen Afridi replaces Keshav Maharaj at top spot in ICC ODI bowling rankings-OxBig News Network

Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Afridi has become the new number-one ranked bowler in the ODIS replacing South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj at the top of the list. Afridi had a brilliant series against Australia as he finished as the second-highest wicket-taker with eight wickets to his name from three matches at an average of 12.62 and an economy of 3.76.

Following his sensational show, Afridi climbed three spots in the rankings to take the top spot having 696 ratings to his name while Maharaj dropped down to third having 674 ratings to his name. Afridi has also held the number one spot previously as he held the spot midway of the ODI World Cup 2023.

Afridi’s ascent to the number one rank also means that Pakistan players now hold the top spot in both bowling and batting rankings with Babar Azam already sitting comfortably on the top of batting rankings with 825 ratings to his name.

Apart from him, his teammate Haris Rauf has also climbed 14 places after his Player of the Series performance against Australia. Rauf scalped ten wickets from three matches at an average of 12 and an economy of 5. During the series, the speedster also registered his maiden five-wicket haul in ODIs and played a key role in his team’s first ODI series win in Australia since 2002.

Indians rise in T20I Players’ rankings

In the T20I rankings, Phil Salt (second), Jos Buttler (sixth) and Nicholas Pooran (10^th ) all gained one place courtesy of their stellar performances in the ongoing T20I series between England and West Indies. India wicketkeeper batter Sanju Samson has also jumped a whopping 27 places to be at 39^th spot after his century in the first T20I vs South Africa.

In terms of T20I bowlers, Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga has jumped four spots to occupy the second position with 696 ratings. Apart from him, West Indies’ Akeal Hosein (third) and India’s Ravi Bishnoi (seventh) have also gained one place each.

India wrist spinner Varun Chakravarthy has also entered into the top 100 bowlers to be at 64^th after his remarkable performance in the first two T20Is vs South Africa where he scalped eight wickets including a five-wicket haul in the 2^nd T20I.