Zimbabwe Star Overtakes Omarzai in ICC Rankings
Sikandar Raza, the Zimbabwean cricketing powerhouse and IPL 2023 Punjab Kings (PBKS) star, has climbed to the top of the ICC Men’s ODI All-Rounder Rankings. Following a series of match-winning performances against Sri Lanka, Raza now holds the No. 1 spot with 302 rating points, edging past Afghanistan’s rising star Azmatullah Omarzai, who trails just six points behind at 296. Veteran Afghan cricketer Mohammad Nabi remains third with 202 points.
Raza’s recent performances in the ODI series against Sri Lanka were nothing short of exceptional. In the first ODI played in Harare, the 38-year-old scored a fighting 92 and also picked up 1/48 with the ball. Despite his heroic effort, Zimbabwe narrowly missed victory, falling short by just seven runs after Sri Lanka’s Dilshan Madushanka took a game-changing hat-trick.
In the second ODI, while Raza didn’t pick up any wickets, he continued to show his class with the bat. His unbeaten 59 off just 55 balls anchored Zimbabwe to a competitive total, reinforcing his status as one of the most consistent all-rounders in world cricket.
Keshav Maharaj Leads Bowling Rankings; Nabi Climbs in T20Is
South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj continues to hold the top spot in the ICC ODI Bowling Rankings. He further cemented his position with a strong performance against England in the first ODI, where he claimed four wickets and played a crucial role in South Africa’s bowling attack.
Meanwhile, Mohammad Nabi has also made significant strides in the T20I all-rounder rankings. After picking up four wickets during the recent tri-series in the UAE, the Afghan legend moved up to the second spot, sitting just behind India’s Hardik Pandya, who continues to lead the T20I all-rounder charts.
Sikandar Raza’s rise is a testament to his consistency, adaptability, and impact in all formats. Whether it’s on the global T20 circuit or in the international 50-over game, the Zimbabwean all-rounder continues to shine as one of the most valuable assets in modern cricket.
