Shaheen Afridi has reclaimed the top spot in the ICC men’s ODI bowling rankings after his impressive performance in Pakistan’s historic 2-1 series win over Australia. The 24-year-old paceman claimed eight wickets during the series, propelling him past Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan, South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj, and India’s Kuldeep Yadav. Afridi’s career-best rating of 696 reflects his remarkable form in the series.
This achievement comes as a major boost for Pakistan ahead of the 2025 Champions Trophy. The team’s recent victory in Australia has built momentum, with Afridi’s rise to number one complementing the success of his teammates. Haris Rauf was named ‘Player of the Series’ after claiming 10 wickets in three matches, while Afridi’s performance helped him secure the top spot. Rauf’s efforts also earned him a 14-spot jump in the rankings, bringing him up to 13th place.
Shaheen Afridi also made strides in the all-rounders’ rankings, climbing three places to 13th. This jump saw him surpass notable players such as Ravindra Jadeja, Michael Leask, and Josh Hazlewood. On the batting side, Babar Azam maintained his number one ranking, while captain Mohammad Rizwan’s match-winning knock in Perth lifted him two places to 23rd.
Pakistan’s cricket team is currently preparing for a T20I series against Australia, with the white-ball fixtures serving as crucial preparation for the 2025 Champions Trophy. The team’s strong performances in both bowling and batting have set a solid foundation for what could be an exciting year ahead for Pakistani cricket.
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