Gap widens between Gill and Babar, Shaheen moves up in ICC ODI rankings

Shaheen Afridi (632) climbed higher among the leading ODI bowlers, up two spots to sixth while swapping places with Mitchell Starc (628) who dropped to eighth

PHOTO: AFP

India quick Mohammed Siraj and Australia right-armer Josh Hazlewood share top spot in the ICC Men’s ODI Bowling Rankings after the latest update on the eve of the 2023 World Cup.

The two fast bowlers are level on 669 ranking points after Siraj dropped 11 points during the third ODI of the recent series between India and Australia to finish equal with Hazlewood.

Afghanistan spin twins Mujeeb Ur Rahman (third place with 657 ranking points) and Rashid Khan (fourth, 655) are next best in the ODI bowling rankings.

Shaheen Afridi (632) climbed higher among the leading ODI bowlers, up two spots to sixth while swapping places with Mitchell Starc (628) who dropped to eighth.

The left-arm strike bowlers are set to face-off in an enthralling clash when Pakistan and Australia meet at the World Cup on 20 October.

Mohammad Nabi (621) and Kuldeep Yadav (616) also swapped spots with the Afghanistan off-spinner moving up one place and into the top-10 of the ODI bowling rankings.

Kuldeep will have an opportunity to reclaim his top-10 ranking on the familiar spin-friendly decks of India.

Meanwhile, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam (857 ranking points) holds onto top spot ahead of Shubman Gill (839), who lost eight rating points after missing the third ODI against Australia.

There has been no movement in the top-10 of the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s ODI All-rounder Rankings, with Bangladesh stalwart Shakib Al Hasan still in top spot on 349 ranking points ahead of Nabi (302 ranking points).