DUBAI: Pakistan's premier fast bowler Shaheen Afridi has reclaimed the No.1 position in the ICC Men's ODI Bowler Rankings, restoring his status, which he first attained during last year's Cricket World Cup held in India. His recent prowess during Pakistan's triumphant series against Australia, where he snatched eight wickets across three matches at a remarkable average of just 12.62, has catapulted him back to the top.
Afridi’s resurgence is part of a broader reshuffle within the rankings, which saw South Africa’s spinner Keshav Maharaj drop to third place, with Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan holding steady at number two. Meanwhile, Afridi's exceptional performance is reinforced by his teammate Babar Azam's strong standing; he continues to dominate the ODI batting rankings, making Pakistan the only side home to both the top-ranked ODI batsman and bowler.
Babar made an impressive impact against Australia with 80 runs, experiencing only one dismissal throughout the series. Joining Afridi on the rise, Haris Rauf, who had quite the showing against Australia with ten wickets, jumped up the rankings, landing at 13th position, marking his career-best. Naseem Shah also celebrated personal success, climbing 14 spots to reach the 55th position overall. Meanwhile, Pakistan's newly appointed ODI captain, Mohammad Rizwan, earned himself the 23rd spot on the batting charts following the series.
The movement within the ODI bowls reflects not just Afridi's talent but also the progress of other international cricketers. Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto moved up by 11 places, achieving joint-23rd alongside Rizwan, and Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai improved to 31st overall. Notably, Gudakesh Motie from the West Indies and Bangladesh’s Mehidy Hasan Miraz also made gains, with Mehidy scaling up nine spots to settle at 23rd.
Shifting focus to T20I rankings, England's Phil Salt and Jos Buttler enjoyed upward movements to second and sixth places, respectively, following their impressive performances against the West Indies. Also noteworthy was South Africa's Reeza Hendricks and Tristan Stubbs, who made substantial gains. Stubbs, for the record, leaped up 12 spots to the 26th position.
When it came to the bowling ranks, Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga climbed to second place, slipping behind England's Adil Rashid, with West Indies’ Akeal Hosein and India’s Ravi Bishnoi approaching the top ten, placed third and seventh, respectively. New Zealand's Mitchell Santner and Lockie Ferguson, along with England’s Jofra Archer and Sri Lanka’s Matheesha Pathirana, also made considerable strides, particularly Pathirana, who saw himself vaulting 22 spots to occupy 31st place.
Lastly, the all-rounder's list remains interesting, with England’s Liam Livingstone holding onto the top position, and Hasaranga closing the gap at fifth. Meanwhile, Romario Shepherd from West Indies advanced to eighth, rounding out the dynamic shifts across various cricket rankings.
Shifting gears, Australia’s assistant coach, Daniel Vettori, finds himself on the verge of missing the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy due to a scheduling conflict with the IPL mega auction. This auction is set to take place on November 24 and 25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, batting against the conclusion of the Test match scheduled to kick off on November 22 at Perth’s Optus Stadium.
Vettori holds the title of head coach for the Sunrisers Hyderabad and his potential absence has raised concerns within the Australian camp. His role within the coaching team is highly valued, as he is considered one of the more influential figures assisting head coach Andrew McDonald. Information from the Australian publication The Age suggests no firm decisions have been made about whether Vettori will remain with the team throughout the Test or leave early to attend the auction.
Vettori is not the only former Australian player facing potential absences due to the upcoming auction. Ricky Ponting, head coach of the Punjab Kings, and Justin Langer, head coach of the Lucknow Super Giants, are also noted to miss their commentary duties during the first Test due to similar auction commitments. Notably, during the previous year, when Ponting coached the Delhi Capitals, he left mid-way through the Perth Test to attend the auction.
Langer’s approach differed last year, as he stayed through the conclusion of the Test, even as Vettori completed his duties with Australia before departing for the preceding auction. The ramifications of these coaching choices may weave through the performances of the respective teams as they navigate this intense international cricket phase.
Meanwhile, turning attention back to India, the atmosphere is electric as its players gear up for the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia. All eyes are on the Indian players to deliver solid performances, continuing the nation's golden cricket legacy. Each player brings unique strengths and experiences, and the series promises to be hotly contested on multiple fronts.
Amid all this, discussions on the future of ODI cricket echo loudly. Mark Waugh, former Australian cricketer, suggests the format may be fading beyond major tournaments, inciting debate within the cricketing circles. Many speakers noted the increasing popularity of T20 formats and the strain on ODI cricket's relevance.
Across the cricketing world, changes are continual. Rankings improve and dip, coaches shift, and players rise to the occasion. It’s this unpredictable excitement and fervor surrounding cricket — the competition, the strategies, and the communal support from fans — shaping hearts and cities alike as the game embarks on its next chapter, marking cherished legacies and new narratives. The upcoming matches stand as pivotal moments, shaping rankings, performances, and careers, paving the way for the future of cricket.
