The International Cricket Council (ICC) released the latest player rankings on Wednesday, and there have been significant changes. Zimbabwe’s experienced all-rounder Sikandar Raza has claimed the top spot, becoming the new No. 1 ODI all-rounder with 302 rating points. Raza surpassed Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai (296 points) and Mohammad Nabi (292 points), who are now placed second and third, respectively.
Raza’s rise comes after his impressive performance in the recent two-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, where he scored 92 and an unbeaten 59 runs and also took one wicket. The 39-year-old has also moved up nine spots in the ODI batting rankings, now sitting at 22nd position.
After winning both ODIs against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club, several Sri Lankan players have also climbed the rankings. Pathum Nissanka jumped seven places to reach 13th in the ODI batting rankings with 654 points, thanks to his knocks of 122 and 76 runs. Janith Liyanage has moved up 13 places to 29th, while in bowling, Asitha Fernando has gained six spots to reach 31st, and Dilshan Madushanka climbed eight places to 52nd.
In ODI bowling, South Africa’s spinner Keshav Maharaj continues to dominate as the No. 1 bowler with 690 points, after taking four wickets in the first ODI against England. In ODI batting, India’s Shubman Gill remains at the top with 784 points.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s Mohammad Nabi, despite losing ground in ODIs, is closing in on Hardik Pandya in the T20 all-rounders’ rankings. Nabi is now in second place with 231 points, just behind Hardik, who leads with 252 points. Nabi’s rise comes after taking four wickets in three matches in Sharjah last week.
In the ongoing T20I tri-series in the UAE, which also involves Pakistan, Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran has jumped 12 places to reach 20th in the T20 batting rankings after scoring two half-centuries. Pakistan’s Sufiyan Muqeem has also climbed 11 spots to 22nd in the T20 bowling rankings.