No.1 Again! Shaheen Afridi Leads ICC Men's ODI Bowling Rankings

For the first time since October 31, 2023, Shaheen takes the top spot back from South Africa's Keshav Maharaj, who has dropped two spots to third place.

By Emilia Blake 13 Nov 2024 in Cricket

New Update

Shaheen Afridi — Source: @CallMeSheri1 X

Following strong bowling efforts in the most recent ODI series against Australia, Pakistan's Shaheen Afridi returned to the top of the ICC ODI rankings. Just behind his teammate Haris Rauf, the left-arm fast became the second-highest wicket-taker in the series.

Shaheen Afridi put on a fantastic display after a run of subpar performances in all formats, taking eight wickets in three ODIs at an average of 12.62 and a meagre economy rate of 3.76. His reliability was crucial to Pakistan's historic victory in the Australian series. After a 22-year break, Pakistan won its first ODI series on Australian soil. After losing the opening game of the series, the Men in Green rallied to defeat the home side in the following two games.

Shaheen Afridi Becomes World's No 1 Bowler:

ICC's official poster for the No. 1 ODI bowler in the world 🔥

What a special, special talent Shaheen Afridi is. He belongs there 🇵🇰♥️ pic.twitter.com/jFvxUbFOkQ
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) November 13, 2024

Following his incredible four for 17 in the second Twenty20 match against New Zealand at Dambulla, Wanindu Hasaranga of Sri Lanka rose four spots to second place on the bowler's list (696 points) in the ICC Men's T20I Rankings. With 725 rating points, Adil Rashid continues to hold the top spot.

Hasaranga’s teammates, Matheesha Pathirana (up 22 slots to joint 31st) and Nuwan Thushara (up 28 places to 48th position) have scored career-best rating point tallies with 556 and 506 respectively.

In the ICC ODI rankings for bowlers, Shaheen Afridi rose three spots to the top. He took the place of Keshav Maharaj, a left-arm spinner from South Africa who is currently in third place. Rashid Khan, the top legspinner for Afghanistan, comes in at number two. Afridi is no stranger to the top place; he previously occupied it during the 2023 ODI World Cup in India. But after a series of lacklustre performances and Pakistan's reduced number of ODIs, he was eventually demoted.

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