Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan dethrones Shaheen Shah Afridi as top ODI bowler

Pakistan(National Times)- DUBAI: In a significant shake-up in the International Cricket Council (ICC) men’s ODI bowling rankings, Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi has been dethroned from the top spot by Afghanistan’s leg-spinner Rashid Khan. The latest rankings, released on Wednesday, show South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj holding steady in third place. However, Afridi, who climbed to number one following a stellar performance with eight wickets at an average of 12.62 during Pakistan’s historic ODI series victory over Australia, was rested during the ongoing series against Zimbabwe. Meanwhile, his bowling partner, Haris Rauf, who was instrumental in the 2-1 win against Australia and was named Player of the Series, has also slipped two positions to 15th. Emerging opener Saim Ayub, who scored a swashbuckling century in Pakistan’s 10-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the second ODI of the ongoing three-match series on Tuesday, jumped 80 places to 90th in the men’s ODI batting rankings, continued to be led by star batter Babar Azam. On the other hand, India’s right-arm speedster Jasprit Bumrah reclaimed the top position in the Test bowling rankings after leading his side to a historic 295-run victory over Australia in the opening Test of the five-match series in Perth on Monday. The right-arm pacer’s match figures of 8/72 helped him overtake Australia’s Josh Hazlewood and South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada to secure the top spot with career-best 883 rating points – the highest by an Indian pacer in the format. Spinners Ravichandran Ashwin (904) and Ravindra Jadeja (899) are the only other bowlers from the country to register higher rating points than Bumrah’s 833. This is the third time this year that Jasprit Bumrah has secured the top spot in Test rankings, the previous such instances were his one-month each stints during February and October. On the batting front, India’s Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli, who scored magnificent centuries in their team’s come-from-behind victory also made gains. Jaiswal replaced England’s Harry Brook and New Zealand’s Kane Williamson to reach a career-best second position, only behind Joe Root, while Kohli jumped nine places to claim 13th position in the rankings.



Latest News
Pakistan rejects Afghan Taliban’s offer to shift TTP terrorists to new location as second round of talks ends in Istanbul
Navy chief vows to defend sovereignty, maritime frontiers
Pakistan, Afghanistan hold second round of key peace talks in Istanbul
In meeting with COAS, Egyptian president lauds Pakistan’s ‘contributions’ towards Muslim world
ISPR DG engages with students, scholars in Mardan
Balochistan’s progress key to Pakistan’s prosperity, says PM Shehbaz
Second round of talks between Pakistan, Afghanistan to be held in Turkey today
Balochistan facing acute water crisis as groundwater levels drop rapidly




Multi Media   
Embassy of Pakistan 🇵🇰 in Brussels || Quarterly Recap of Activities, Engagements & Outreach
 Multi Media
DPM Dar sends Trump peace prize nomination to Nobel Committee
 Multi Media
Pak Navy Chief Visits Foreign Ships Participating in Ninth Multinational Naval Exercise Aman | ISPR
 Multi Media
PM Shehbaz Sharif Addresses | Breathe Pakistan Global Climate Conference I 07-02-2025
 Multi Media
COAS visited Muzaffarabad, where he paid homage to the sacrifices of the martyrs.| ISPR