Babar Azam retains, Shaheen Afridi slips in latest ICC ODI rankings

Pakistan's Babar Azam has once again maintained his position as the number one batter in the latest ICC Men's ODI Player Rankings, with 786 rating points. The updated rankings, released on February 12, 2025, show Babar holding a narrow lead over India’s Shubman Gill (781) and Rohit Sharma (773). Despite a dip in his rating from his career-best 898 in 2022, Babar continues to keep him at the top of the rankings.

While Babar remains the leading batter, the race for the top spot is heating up, with Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma continuing to perform strongly in their respective series. Gill moved up one place to second position after his impressive back-to-back half-centuries against England. Rohit Sharma is close behind in third place, just 13 rating points behind Babar after a brilliant century in Cuttack.

Meanwhile, in the bowling rankings, Pakistan's Shaheen Afridi has slipped to fourth position, Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan, who leads the ODI bowlers' rankings with 669 rating points. Shaheen's performance has been solid, but the competition at the top is incredibly tight, with only 18 rating points separating the top five bowlers, including Maheesh Theekshana, Bernard Scholtz, and Kuldeep Yadav.

Babar's continued dominance in the ODI rankings is a testament to his exceptional skills, while Shaheen Afridi’s slight drop highlights the fierce competition among the world's best bowlers.

As the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 approaches, the race for the top spot in both the batting and bowling rankings is more intense than ever. With just one week left until the tournament begins in Pakistan and the UAE, fans are eagerly awaiting to see if Babar can retain his position as the top batter and if Shaheen can reclaim his place among the top bowlers.

Other notable updates include the rise of Ireland's Harry Tector, who moved up to fourth place in the ODI batter rankings, and the return of big names like Virat Kohli, who is currently ranked sixth. The competition is fierce as players aim to shine in the upcoming Champions Trophy.

The ICC rankings continue to reflect recent performances, with some players making significant strides, setting the stage for an exciting tournament ahead.