Pakistan’s impressive run in white-ball cricket has brought about a wave of success in the latest ICC Men’s Player Rankings, with both batters and bowlers making significant upward moves following strong performances against South Africa and Sri Lanka.
The standout performer has been Salman Agha, who powered Pakistan to victory with a brilliant 105 off 87 balls against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi. His century not only helped secure a narrow win but also lifted him 14 spots to 16th in the ICC Men’s ODI Batting Rankings — the highest position of his career so far, with 639 rating points.
Saim Ayub, one of Pakistan’s emerging batting stars, continued his fine form from the South Africa series, where back-to-back half-centuries pushed him 18 places up to joint 35th. Hussain Talat also contributed crucial runs, scoring 62 off 63 balls, helping Pakistan maintain momentum in their ODI campaign.
On the bowling front, Haris Rauf made a strong comeback, claiming four wickets in just his second match since the Asia Cup final. His fiery pace and wicket-taking ability have elevated him three positions to 28th in the ODI Bowling Rankings. Abrar Ahmed, Pakistan’s mystery spinner, also made a leap of 17 spots after his match-winning 4/27 against South Africa, underlining his growing stature in international cricket.
Beyond Pakistan, other players also made notable moves. South Africa’s Quinton de Kock, who scored fifties in all three ODIs against Pakistan, rose four spots to 15th in the batting rankings. Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga impressed as an all-rounder, climbing 14 places in batting and moving to ninth in bowling after a stellar all-round display (3/54 and 59 runs) in Rawalpindi.
In T20I cricket, New Zealand’s Jacob Duffy surged to No.3 in the ICC Men’s T20I Bowling Rankings following a strong showing against the West Indies, where he picked up six wickets in four games. He now trails only India’s Varun Chakaravarthy and Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan.
Pakistan’s rise in the global rankings reflects the team’s growing confidence and balance in all departments. With consistent contributions from both experienced and young players, the Men in Green are shaping up as a formidable force in white-ball cricket — and fans are eager to see if they can sustain this form in upcoming series and tournaments.
