Abrar Ahmed inches closer to top ODI bowler spot in ICC rankings

DUBAI: Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed has moved a step closer to claiming the top ODI bowler position in the ICC rankings after achieving a career-best rating in the latest update.

The young spinner claimed six wickets in the three-match ODI series against Australia this month, a performance that significantly boosted his standings in the global rankings.

Abrar has risen to second place, climbing from fourth position with 675 rating points. Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan continues to hold the top spot, while England fast bowler Jofra Archer has slipped to third.

Pakistan pace spearhead Shaheen Afridi, who took seven wickets and led his side to a 2-1 series victory over Australia, has broken into the top 10 bowlers, moving up to ninth place with 604 points.

Elsewhere in the bowling rankings, Haris Rauf has climbed one place to 18th. Naseem Shah has dropped two spots to 47th, while Mohammad Wasim Jr has slipped three places to 68th. Spinner Mohammad Nawaz has also moved down one position to 76th.

In the ODI batting rankings, Babar Azam has maintained his sixth position. Salman Ali Agha has fallen two places to 16th with 630 points.

Wicketkeeper-batter and former captain Mohammad Rizwan has dropped to 31st, while Fakhar Zaman has slipped to 36th. Saim Ayub is down one place at 42nd, and Abdullah Shafique retains his 99th position.

New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell continues to lead the ODI batting chart, followed by India’s Virat Kohli in second place and Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran in third.