Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi tops ODI Bowling Rankings for the first time

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s lethal pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi climbed to the top of ICC’s ODI Bowling Rankings on Wednesday after impressive performances in the ongoing World Cup tournament in India.
Afridi, 23, is the joint-highest wicket-taker in the ongoing World Cup with Australia’s Adam Zampa. The Pakistani pacer impressed with the ball against Bangladesh in Kolkata on Tuesday to return figures of 3-23, helping his team beat their opponents by seven wickets.
Afridi also returned figures of 3/45 against South Africa in their World Cup clash on Oct. 27 while he took a fifer in Pakistan’s match against Australia on Oct. 20. Against Bangladesh, Afridi became the fastest bowler to take 100 ODI wickets, achieving the feat in only his 51st ODI.
“This is the first time Shaheen has topped the bowler’s rankings in any of the formats,” the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said in a statement, adding that he jumped nine spots to achieve the ranking.
Afridi’s rise to the top reflects Pakistan’s dominance in the 50-over format, as skipper Babar Azam currently leads the ODI Batters’ Rankings. Azam has been sitting at the top of the ODI batter’s rankings since he climbed to the top in April 2021.
“This the first time since the introduction of the ICC ODI Player Rankings that a Pakistan batter and bowler dominate the rankings at the same time,” the PCB said.
Pakistan’s win over Bangladesh kept the green shirts’ slim chances of qualifying for the semifinal stages of the World Cup alive. Azam’s side lost four consecutive matches to India, Australia, Afghanistan and South Africa after winning their opening two games against the Netherlands and Sri Lanka.
Pakistan face New Zealand on Nov. 4 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. They must win their remaining clashes against the Kiwis and England to stand a chance of qualifying for the final four.