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.
As India prepares for the last two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, the sudden retirement of R Ashwin has left a gap in the team's spin attack. In his place, the selectors have called up Mumbai's all-rounder Tanush Kotian, who has 101 wickets under his belt in 31 First-class games. With Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja also in the mix, Kotian's inclusion adds strength to India's spin bowling.
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