In a surprising shift, Pakistan’s top cricket stars Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi have dropped positions in the latest ICC ODI rankings. The update marks a mixed week for Pakistan’s cricket team, with some players sliding down while others made impressive gains.
Babar Azam, once a regular in the top three, has now fallen one spot to fifth place. He currently holds 728 rating points, reflecting a minor dip in his recent performances. Meanwhile, newly appointed ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi also dropped a place, landing at 15th in the bowling rankings with 587 points.
Rising Performers Bring Hope for Pakistan
Despite the decline of Pakistan’s leading names, several other players have made notable progress in the latest update.
Mohammad Rizwan, the dependable wicketkeeper-batter, climbed one spot to reach 23rd position in the batting chart. Fakhar Zaman, known for his aggressive stroke play, also gained one position and now sits at 26th.
The biggest mover among Pakistani batters is Salman Ali Agha, who jumped nine places to secure 30th position after his impactful performance against South Africa in the series opener. His rise reflects his growing consistency and value in Pakistan’s middle order.
Meanwhile, Imam-ul-Haq slipped slightly to 42nd, and Saim Ayub maintained his 53rd position with 509 points, showing steady progress for the young opener.
Global Rankings See Fresh Movement
The global ODI rankings also witnessed key shifts among international stars. India’s Rohit Sharma continues to dominate as the world’s top-ranked ODI batter, maintaining his stronghold at number one.
Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran has retained the second spot, while New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell moved up two places to third. His rise pushed India’s Shubman Gill down to fourth, just above Babar Azam.
On the bowling side, Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan remains unbeatable at number one. South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj holds second position, and England’s Jofra Archer has climbed to third, surpassing Sri Lanka’s Maheesh Theekshana, who slipped to fourth.
Pakistan Bowlers Show Promise Despite Mixed Results
While Shaheen Afridi dropped slightly, other Pakistani bowlers made significant improvements. Naseem Shah surged an impressive ten spots to reach 33rd with 524 points, reflecting his consistent wicket-taking ability.
Spinner Abrar Ahmed also made progress, advancing to 37th, while Mohammad Nawaz moved up three places to 69th with 436 points. These upward trends suggest depth in Pakistan’s bowling lineup, despite temporary fluctuations at the top.
What the Rankings Mean for Pakistan
The latest rankings highlight both challenges and opportunities for Pakistan’s cricket team. Although senior players like Babar and Shaheen have experienced minor setbacks, the rise of others signals healthy competition within the squad.
With consistent performances, rising stars such as Salman Agha and Naseem Shah could soon close the gap with the global elite. The mix of experience and emerging talent continues to define Pakistan’s ODI journey as they prepare for upcoming international series.
