Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi has reclaimed the prestigious No.1 position on the ICC Men’s ODI Bowler Rankings, a remarkable achievement just months ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Afridi’s rise to the top underscores his growing reputation as one of the premier bowlers in international cricket.
Afridi had previously clinched the No.1 spot during last year’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in India, where his extraordinary performances made headlines. Now, after delivering an exceptional series against Australia, he has once again surged to the pinnacle of ODI bowling. The ICC confirmed this accomplishment in a statement on Wednesday, applauding Afridi’s recent performance: “Afridi regains his place as the top bowler in 50-over cricket on the back of some excellent displays during Pakistan’s recent series triumph over Australia, where he claimed eight wickets across three matches at an average of 12.62.”
This resurgence propelled Afridi three spots up the ranking, allowing him to surpass South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj, who now holds third place. Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan stands at second. Afridi’s return to the No.1 ranking means that Pakistan currently boasts the top-ranked players in both ODI batting and bowling categories, with Babar Azam maintaining his lead as the world’s top-ranked ODI batsman after his stellar performance against Australia.
The resurgence of Pakistan’s bowlers is further underscored by the rise of Haris Rauf, who has climbed 14 spots to secure the 13th position following his outstanding 10-wicket haul in the Australia series, which earned him the Player of the Series title. The ICC lauded Rauf’s achievement, marking this as a career-high rating for the fast bowler. Additionally, Pakistan’s Naseem Shah achieved a new career-best, advancing 14 positions to claim the 55th spot on the rankings.
The latest rankings update not only highlights Afridi’s formidable skills but also reinforces Pakistan’s position as a cricket powerhouse, with a line-up that balances both top-tier batting and bowling talent. The ICC’s statement emphasized the impact of this achievement, noting that Pakistan’s bowling prowess is well-equipped for major tournaments.
In related news, Pakistan spinner Noman Ali was named ICC Men’s Player of the Month for October 2024. The accolade followed a public and panel vote conducted by the ICC, celebrating Ali’s consistent performances. As the countdown to the ICC Champions Trophy continues, Pakistan’s cricket landscape appears revitalized, fueled by the dynamic achievements of its players across all facets of the game.
