DUBAI: Former skipper Babar Azam continued to hold the top position in latest ODI rankings released by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday.
The celebrated player maintained the top spot with 824 points while Indian batters Shubman Gill (801), Virat Kohli (768) and Rohit Sharman (746) are standing at the second, third and fourth positions respectively.
Sri Lanka player Charith Asalanka jumped five places to 15th overall following his unbeaten 97 in the second match of the series, Pathum Nissanka improved 10 spots to 18th after his double century in the series opener, while Sadeera Samarawickrama climbed six rungs to 41st due to a stylish half-century.
Meanwhile, a new player crowned at the top of the ODI all-rounder rankings following a superb century against Sri Lanka.
Shakib Al Hasan’s reign at the top is over after Afghanistan veteran Mohammad Nabi claimed the No.1 spot on the latest ICC Men’s ODI All-Rounder Rankings.
Shakib held the premier position in 50-over cricket for 1739 days – from 7 May 2019 (when he took over from Rashid Khan) until 9 February 2024 — the longest unbroken stretch anyone has had on top of the ODI all-rounder rankings. But an ongoing injury concern coupled with some good recent form from Nabi has seen a change at the top.
There is little to no change at the top of the Test rankings, with Kane Williamson increasing his lead at the top of the list for batters after a pair of centuries in the first Test against South Africa and India quick Jasprit Bumrah still at the head of proceedings for bowlers.
Kiwi pacer Kyle Jamieson did make some ground on Bumrah following six wickets for the match in that Mount Maunganui contest with the Proteas, with the right-armer jumping six places to eighth overall in an impressive performance.
Jamieson also moves up two places to 13th on the list for Test all-rounders after a contribution of 8* with the bat against South Africa, with India’s Ravindra Jadeja still leading the way comprehensively in that category.
Afghanistan’s Mohammad Nabi replaced Shakib Al Hasan of Bangladesh as the No.1 ranked allrounder in the ICC rankings, on Wednesday. Prior to this, Shakib had held this position for more than five years.
Shakib hasn’t played for Bangladesh since the ODI World Cup in India last year, and has been ruled out of their upcoming white-ball series against Sri Lanka due to an eye condition. He has, however, been in action for Rangpur Riders in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League season.
Nabi claimed the top spot following his 136 against Sri Lanka in the opening ODI of the three-match series, in Pallekele. Chasing a mammoth 382, Nabi’s hundred at No. 7 and Azmatullah Omarzai’s unbeaten 149 lifted Afghanistan from 55 for 5, but the team fell short by 42 runs. Nabi also took a wicket in the same game to move up by one place to be seventh in the ICC’s latest ODI bowlers’ ranking.
South Africa left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj remains the leader among bowlers with Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga gaining 14 spots to equal 26th and Dilshan Madushanka moving up by four places to be 33rd.
In the batting list, Sri Lanka’s Charith Asalanka climbed five positions to occupy 15th following his unbeaten 97 in the second ODI. Pathum Nissanka jumped 10 spots to be 18th after his unbeaten 210 in the opener.
Meanwhile, in the Test bowling chart, New Zealand quick Kyle Jamieson went up six places to eighth following his six-wicket haul against South Africa in the series opener at Mount Maunganui. He also moved up two places to be 13th on the list for Test all-rounders.
