Pakistan’s lead pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi on Wednesday became the new number one bowler in ODIs, achieving the feat for the first time in his eventful career that has been a mix of many highs and few lows. He jumped seven places to displace Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood from the top in the latest ICC rankings. Afridi’s rise to the top comes a day after his team’s victory over Bangladesh in the World Cup in which he captured three wickets for 23 runs.
The match also saw him reach his 100th ODI wicket, which came in his 51st game, making him the third fastest to achieve the landmark in the format to date, besides being the fastest pacer to do so.
He is now the joint highest wicket-taker of the competition along with Adam Zampa of Australia, having taken 16 wickets in seven matches at an average of 19.93 and an economy of 5.22, including a five-wicket haul.
Meanwhile, Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj and left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav were placed third and seventh respectively.
As for the batters, Pakistan skipper Babar Adam led the chart. India’s Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were ranked second, fifth and seventh respectively.
Among all-rounders, the list is headed by Shakib Al Hasan of Bangladesh.
While India’s Hardik Pandya dropped a place to 11th, Ravindra Jadeja stayed in 13th position, while Pakistan’s Shadab Khan was down a couple of slots to 20.
ON Tuesday, Opener Fakhar Zaman capped his return with an attacking fifty after Shaheen Shah Afridi’s fiery spell as Pakistan knocked Bangladesh out of the Cricket World Cup 2023 with a seven-wicket win to keep their slim semifinal hopes alive in Kolkata on Tuesday.
Shaheen spearheaded their three-pronged pace attack with splendid figures of 9-1-23-3 as Pakistan bundled out Bangladesh for a lowly 204 in 45.1 overs.
Fakhar, who missed five of their six matches because of a knee injury, smashed seven sixes and three fours in his 74-ball 81. Abdullah Shafique also struck a quick 68 off 69 balls (9×4, 2×6) as the new-look opening pair laid the foundation with an imposing 128-run alliance.
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