Pakistan pacer Shaheen Afridi became the number one ranked ODI bowler in the world after the ICC announced the latest update on Wednesday.
Afridi has been in great form for Pakistan at the Cricket World Cup and is currently the joint leading wicket-taker, 16 scalps, for the tournament alongside Australia spinner Adam Zampa.
“The tall left-armer took another three wickets during Pakistan's emphatic triumph over Bangladesh in Kolkata on Tuesday to keep his side's semi-final hopes alive, and it also helped catapult the 23-year-old past nine of his contemporaries to claim the mantle as the No.1 ranked ODI bowler,” the ICC said in a press release.
Yesterday, Shaheen Afridi became the quickest fast-bowler to complete 100 wickets in one-day cricket during the World Cup 2023 match between Pakistan and Bangladesh in Kolkata.
Shaheen is also the fastest Pakistani bowler to reach 100 wickets, going past Saqlain Mushtaq who did it in 53 matches.
Shaheen is considered one of the best bowlers in the world. He features for Pakistan team in all formats of the game and is considered extremely dangerous with the new ball in his hand.
Shaheen made his international debut in Tests, ODIs and T20Is in 2018.
The 23-year-old pacer did it in 51 matches, overtaking Mitchell Starc who achieved the feat in 52 outings.
Meanwhile, Pakistan captain Babar Azam has also retained his top position in the ODI batters’ rankings.
“It is the first time that Afridi has held the No.1 ranking in any format and means Pakistan players simultaneously cling on to the top spot in two ODI categories as skipper Babar Azam maintains his narrow lead at the head of the corresponding batting list,” the press release added.
“But Babar's lead at the top of the ODI batter rankings is down to just two rating points, with the Pakistan captain almost paying the price for an innings of just nine runs against Bangladesh.
“The right-hander has a total of 216 runs from seven innings at the World Cup and his closest challenger in India's Shubman Gill has not yet been able to capitalise with just 104 runs from four knocks.”
Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan is still at the top of the rankings for ODI all-rounders, with South Africa left-armer Marco Jansen rising two spots to ninth and New Zealand youngster Rachin Ravindra climbing 14 places to 17th.
- Shaheen Afridi