Islamabad, December 20, 2023 – Pakistan’s batting maestro, Babar Azam, has reclaimed his throne as the number one batter in the latest One Day International (ODI) rankings.
Azam’s resurgence to the top spot comes on the back of Shubman Gill’s absence in the ODIs against South Africa.
Meanwhile, the Irish players hogged the spotlight with a remarkable 2-0 series triumph over Zimbabwe.
In a week marked by notable shifts in the rankings, England’s leg-spinner Adil Rashid emerged as the new leader in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings. Rashid’s stellar performances in the five-match series against the West Indies, currently level at 2-2 with one match remaining, propelled him to the top of the bowlers’ list. This is Rashid’s first time securing the coveted position, surpassing the likes of Rashid Khan from Afghanistan and Ravi Bishnoi of India. Rashid’s ascension follows his impressive five-wicket haul in the past week, surpassing his previous best of the second position held in September 2023.
The left-arm wrist spinners Tabraiz Shamsi of South Africa and Kuldeep Yadav of India also made significant strides in the rankings. Shamsi entered the top 10, while Yadav’s outstanding five-wicket haul in the series against South Africa propelled him 13 places up to 24th position. Other notable movers include South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj, who climbed five places to 19th, and India’s fast bowler Mohammad Siraj, who jumped an impressive 37 places to 69th.
Shifting focus to the ODI Rankings, Babar Azam’s return to the top spot is a testament to his consistent and prolific run-scoring ability. His leadership at the pinnacle of the rankings showcases his standing as one of the premier batsmen in the limited-overs format. The absence of Shubman Gill in the ODIs against South Africa opened the door for Azam to reclaim the number one position.
In the batting rankings, West Indies opener Brandon King made significant gains, reaching a career-best sixth position after a match-winning knock of 82 not out off 52 deliveries in the second match of the series. Nicholas Pooran (up two places to 12th) and Rovman Powell (up 14 places to 23rd) also saw positive movements, reflecting their impactful performances in recent matches. England’s Phil Salt surged to the 20th position, while India’s Yashaswi Jaiswal climbed to 14th in the list led by his compatriot Suryakumar Yadav.
In the Test rankings update, Australia’s David Warner climbed nine slots to 27th after a notable innings of 164 in the first Test against Pakistan. Usman Khawaja’s scores of 41 and 90 lifted him three places to fourth. Among Pakistan batters, opener Imam Ul Haq (up one place to 29th) and Agha Salman (up two places to 32nd) made advancements in the rankings.
As the cricketing world witnesses these dynamic shifts in player rankings, the players’ performances will continue to be closely scrutinized in the upcoming matches and series. The rankings landscape remains fluid, with players striving to make their mark in the ever-evolving world of international cricket.
