ODI Rankings: Babar Azam's lead narrows as Shubman Gill, others shine at ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023
PTC Web Desk: Pakistan's captain Babar Azam has seen his lead in the ODI Batting Rankings shrink to just six rating points, as India's Shubman Gill and several other players in remarkable form at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup are closing in on him.
Despite Babar Azam's total of 157 runs in five innings during the World Cup 2023, he has dropped a total of 829 rating points. His most recent performance was a valiant 74 runs in a losing effort against Afghanistan in Chennai.
On the other hand, India's opener Shubman Gill has accumulated 95 runs in just three matches, raising his rating points to 823 after his exceptional knock of 53 against Bangladesh in Pune.
Gill is not the only player chasing Babar's top ranking. South African opener Quinton de Kock, who has already scored three remarkable centuries, is within striking distance, currently occupying third place in the ODI batting rankings.
Heinrich Klaasen, another South African, has moved up seven places to fourth with a new career-high rating. Meanwhile, experienced duo Virat Kohli and David Warner share fifth place after delivering strong performances in India.
Daryl Mitchell, a dependable middle-order batter for New Zealand, has climbed 16 places to 13th overall after amassing 268 runs from four innings in the World Cup.
Turning to the ODI bowler rankings, Australian seamer Josh Hazlewood maintains a slim lead at the top. However, several contenders are in contention to surpass him. India's Mohammed Siraj is his closest rival, moving up one place to second after taking six wickets in five World Cup appearances.
South Africa's spinner, Keshav Maharaj, has risen two places to third, achieving a new career-high rating after taking seven wickets at the tournament.
Experienced cricketer Mohammad Nabi of Afghanistan has climbed four places to sixth, while Australian spinner Adam Zampa has moved up four places to seventh, making significant gains in the top 10.
In the all-rounders' category, Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan remains at the forefront, with South Africa's Marco Jansen making notable progress, rising 23 places to share 11th place alongside Scotland's Michael Leask.
- ANI
