Pakistan moved up to fourth place in the ICC One Day International (ODI) rankings after winning the first match against Sri Lanka. The thrilling victory gave Pakistan a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Before the match, Pakistan was ranked fifth and Sri Lanka fourth in the ICC ODI rankings.
In the first ODI, Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by just 6 runs, pushing the team one spot higher. To maintain the fourth position, Pakistan must perform well in the remaining two matches. If Sri Lanka wins the next game, they will regain the fourth spot in the rankings.
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Batsman Salman Ali Agha also improved his individual ranking after scoring 105 runs off 87 balls in the first ODI. His performance boosted him 14 places, moving him to 16th position in the ICC ODI batting rankings. Currently, Babar Azam is the only Pakistani in the top 10, holding seventh place.
Spinner Abrar Ahmed achieved his career-best position in the bowling rankings after an excellent performance against South Africa, rising 17 places to 20th. Pakistan’s ODI captain, Shaheen Shah Afridi, remains 16th in the bowling rankings. Both players’ recent performances highlight Pakistan’s growing strength in ODI cricket.
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The ODI series continues to be crucial for Pakistan to maintain its top-four ranking. Strong individual performances by Salman, Abrar, and the rest of the team could further boost Pakistan’s global standing. Fans now look forward to competitive matches in the upcoming ODIs against Sri Lanka.