ICC rankings: Shaheen Afridi becomes No.1 ODI bowler

In a big week for Pakistan cricket, Shaheen Afridi has reclaimed the No.1 position in the ICC Men’s ODI Bowler Rankings, marking a significant achievement just months before the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Afridi’s climb to the top follows his dominant performances against Australia, where he secured eight wickets at an average of 12.62 across three matches.

This form helped him leapfrog South African spinner Keshav Maharaj, who dropped to third, while Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan holds steady in second.

Afridi’s return to the pinnacle position adds to Pakistan's current dominance in ODI cricket, with Babar Azam already leading as the top-ranked ODI batter.

His bowling counterpart, Haris Rauf, also saw a major boost, jumping 14 spots to reach 13th place after his stellar 10-wicket haul and Player of the Series award against Australia. Naseem Shah similarly advanced 14 positions to secure 55th place.

Beyond Pakistan, several players from other nations saw gains across formats. For ODI batters, Mohammad Rizwan rose to 23rd following his consistent performances against Australia, and Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto also entered the 23rd spot. In ODI bowling, Gudakesh Motie of the West Indies advanced to 14th, while Bangladesh’s Mehidy Hasan Miraz surged to 23rd.

Meanwhile, England’s Phil Salt moved up to second in the T20I batting rankings, with teammates Jos Buttler and Nicholas Pooran also making strides. Among bowlers, Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga climbed to second, while West Indies’ Akeal Hosein and India’s Ravi Bishnoi secured spots in the top 10.