South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj has climbed back to the top of the ICC ODI Bowling Rankings after a match-winning spell against Australia, while Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi slipped outside the top 15.
The 35-year-old left-arm spinner was named Player of the Match in Cairns after picking up 5/33 in South Africa’s 98-run victory over Australia. The performance pushed Maharaj above India’s Kuldeep Yadav and Sri Lanka’s Maheesh Theekshana to reclaim the No.1 ranking, which he briefly held in late 2023.
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Sri Lanka’s Theekshana moved to second place, while India’s Kuldeep dropped to third. West Indies pacer Jayden Seales also made headlines, surging 17 spots to 19th after his stunning 6/18 against Pakistan.
Pakistan bowlers struggle in new rankings
No Pakistani bowler features in the top 10 of the latest ICC ODI rankings. Shaheen Afridi fell two places to 16th, while young leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed rose 18 spots to joint 43rd following an impressive run of performances.
West Indies’ Roston Chase also moved up seven places to 67th, continuing the Caribbean rise in the bowling charts.
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In batting, India’s Shubman Gill retained his No.1 position in the ODI rankings, with Pakistan’s Babar Azam holding second place. West Indies skipper Shai Hope climbed to seventh after a match-winning 120 not out against Pakistan.
Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman sit in 27th and 28th positions, respectively.
Pakistan duo slip in T20I rankings
In the Men’s T20I list, Babar Azam dropped to 18th while Rizwan fell to 20th. South Africa’s rising star Dewald Brevis jumped to 12th, while Australia’s Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell made gains, reaching 25th and 30th.
On the bowling side, Australia’s Nathan Ellis (9th) and Josh Hazlewood (18th) advanced, while South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada rose from 44th to 37th.
