Shaheen Afridi's dominant performance in the recent series against Australia has propelled him back to the top spot in the ICC ODI Bowler Rankings. He is joined by his compatriot and team captain Babar Azam, who remains at the top of the ODI batting rankings. Pakistan's bowlers Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah also saw significant improvements in their rankings, while other players from England, Bangladesh, and India have also made strides in the T20I rankings.
Shaheen Afridi Regains Top Spot in ICC ODI Bowler Rankings, Babar Azam Remains ODI Batting King
Pakistan's star fast bowler Shaheen Afridi has once again claimed the top spot in the ICC ODI Bowler Rankings, following his dominant performances in the recent series against Australia. Afridi's resurgence has propelled him back to the pinnacle of ODI bowling, where he had previously occupied the top spot for several months in 2023.
Complementing Afridi's achievement, Pakistan's captain Babar Azam has maintained his position at the top of the ICC ODI batting rankings. Azam's exceptional consistency and prolific run-scoring have cemented his status as the leading batsman in the 50-over format.
Along with Afridi and Azam, Pakistan's bowling contingent also witnessed notable improvements in their rankings. Haris Rauf, who has established himself as a reliable seamer for Pakistan, rose five places to reach 18th in the ODI Bowler Rankings. Meanwhile, Naseem Shah, the young and promising fast bowler, gained 14 places to move up to 32nd in the same list.
In the ICC T20I rankings, several players from England, Bangladesh, and India have made significant strides. England's Ben Stokes, the current captain of the team, rose to the second spot in the T20I all-rounder rankings, thanks to his exceptional batting and bowling exploits. Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan, who has been a consistent performer across formats, moved up to sixth position in the T20I all-rounder rankings. From India, Suryakumar Yadav, the flamboyant batter, made a remarkable jump to the second spot in the T20I batting rankings, showcasing his prowess in the shortest format of the game.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When did Shaheen Afridi first reach the top of the ICC ODI Bowler Rankings? Answer: Afridi first became the number one-ranked ODI bowler in February 2023.
2. Who is the current captain of the Pakistan cricket team? Answer: Babar Azam is the current captain of the Pakistan cricket team.
3. What is Haris Rauf's current ranking in the ICC ODI Bowler Rankings? Answer: Haris Rauf is currently ranked 18th in the ICC ODI Bowler Rankings.
4. Which English player has risen to the second spot in the ICC T20I all-rounder rankings? Answer: Ben Stokes, the current England captain, has risen to the second spot in the ICC T20I all-rounder rankings.
5. What is Suryakumar Yadav's current ranking in the ICC T20I batting rankings? Answer: Suryakumar Yadav is currently ranked second in the ICC T20I batting rankings.
Indian cricketer Prithvi Shaw showed his softer side by sharing an endearing message for social media influencer and actress Akriti Agarwal. The duo recently celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi together, giving fans a glimpse of their camaraderie. Despite facing a setback in the 2025 IPL auction, Shaw is determined to make a strong comeback with his new team and has been working hard to improve his batting skills, according to Maharashtra's chief selector Akshay Darekar.
With a chance to continue their winning streak, Manchester United head to the Etihad for a heated derby match against Manchester City. Despite City's recent struggles, United should not underestimate their rivals as both teams are vying for dominance in the Premier League. However, with last season's win at the Etihad and a confident Ruben Amorim at the helm, United are poised to secure another victory. Meanwhile, the speculation surrounding the future of Manchester United's manager continues, with names like Zinedine Zidane and Sean Dyche being thrown into the mix.
In a thrilling match at the Johan Cruyff Stadium, Spanish champions Barcelona put on a masterclass performance against Valencia. The highlight of the game was Marcus Rashford's top-notch assist for Barcelona's second goal, showing his potential as a loanee from Manchester United. With Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski also scoring and the use of VAR, it was a night to remember for Barcelona's fans.
After being sidelined for 383 days due to a major injury, FC Barcelona's Marc Bernal made a stunning comeback during the team's clash with Valencia. The 18-year-old was greeted by a standing ovation from his teammates and fans as he stepped onto the pitch. In just a few minutes, he made an impact by assisting in the team's 6-0 win. This comeback marks a major milestone in Bernal's journey as a player and he will be looking to continue building on this next step in his career.
In a thrilling and high stakes match, India proved their superiority over Pakistan, winning by seven wickets. However, the Indian team's decision to not shake hands with their opponents and captain Suryakumar Yadav's dedication of the win to the armed forces sparked controversy and questions. India's victory was aided by impressive performances from players like Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Abhishek Sharma, who was hailed by Suryakumar as the player of the match. The win has secured India a spot in the Super 4s of the Asia Cup, making it a happy birthday for Suryakumar, who also achieved his personal goal of staying on the crease till the end. With the return of Sourav Ganguly as the President of the Cricket Association of Bengal, Indian cricket is looking to maintain its strong and successful legacy.
India's Kuldeep Yadav takes 3 wickets and Suryakumar Yadav dedicates win to Armed Forces at post-match presentation while Afridi's 36 runs not enough for Pakistan In a highly anticipated match between India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup, Pakistan's batting proved to be no match for India's spinners, with Kuldeep Yadav taking 3 wickets and restricting Pakistan to 127 runs. Suryakumar Yadav also shone with his statement dedicating the win to India's Armed Forces. In a dominant display, India easily chased the target in just 16 overs with a brilliant performance from Suryakumar and Afridi's cameo not enough for Pakistan.
The India vs Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025 has been a controversial topic, with some calling for it to be cancelled following recent events. However, the Indian Supreme Court has given the green signal for the match to proceed, citing the new Sports Bill which allows for multi-team tournaments but restricts bilateral ties. The court also declined to list an urgent PIL seeking cancellation of the match.
India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are set to kick off their journey in the highly anticipated Asia Cup 2025 with a clash against each other. Led by Suryakumar Yadav, India is seen as one of the leading contenders for the title, with a strong batting unit and a well-rounded bowling attack. On the other hand, UAE, led by Muhammad Waseem, is the underdog in this match, but will aim to put up a tough fight in front of their home crowd. With live streaming and telecast details available, fans are eagerly waiting for the showdown between these two teams.
Ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah proved why he's considered one of the best bowlers in the world as he made a successful T20I comeback against UAE in the Asia Cup 2025. With a searing yorker, Bumrah knocked over opening batter Alishan Sharafu, giving his team an early breakthrough. However, former India captain Ajay Jadeja felt that the star bowler should have been rested for the match against a weaker UAE side. Although there are concerns about his workload, Bumrah continues to shine on the field.
In their opening game of the 2025 Asia Cup, India displayed a dominant performance against the UAE, winning by a staggering margin of 103 runs. Kuldeep Yadav's four-wicket haul and Suryakumar Yadav's captaincy and batting prowess led the team to victory. This marks India's first T20 match since February and the team showed no signs of rustiness, asserting their status as one of the top teams in the format.