Azmatullah Omarzai Overtakes Mohd Nabi To Become No.1 ODI All-Rounder in ICC Rankings; Axar Patel Gains Big

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Dubai, Mar 5: Afghanistan's rising cricket star, Azmatullah Omarzai, has reached a historic milestone in his career, claiming the top spot in the ICC Men's ODI All-Rounder Rankings.

The Afghan - who will soon be 25 - delivered a sensational performance in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which included a match-winning five-wicket haul against England and a crucial half-century against Australia.

His all-around brilliance saw him dethrone fellow Afghan cricketer Mohammad Nabi from the No.1 position, marking a new era for Afghan cricket on the global stage.

Omarzai's Meteoric Rise in Rankings

Omarzai climbed two spots to secure the No.1 ranking with a career-high 296 rating points, surpassing Nabi, who now sits in second place. His rise further underscores Afghanistan's growing dominance in world cricket. Among other notable movers in the all-rounder rankings, India's Axar Patel saw a significant jump of 17 places to secure 13th position with a career-best 194 rating points.

ICC ODI Batting Rankings: Afghan Stars Shine

Omarzai's batting performances in the Champions Trophy also saw him climb 12 spots to 24th in the latest ICC Men's ODI Batting Rankings with 598 rating points. However, he was not the only Afghan batter to make waves in the rankings.

Ibrahim Zadran, Afghanistan's 23-year-old opening sensation, played a magnificent 177-run knock against England in Lahore, which propelled him 13 spots to break into the top 10 at No.10 with 676 rating points.

Meanwhile, Australia's Steve Smith and New Zealand's Kane Williamson also made steady gains, moving up to 16th and 29th, respectively.

At the top of the charts, India's Shubman Gill retained his No.1 spot, while veteran Virat Kohli climbed to No.4 after his match-winning knock against Australia in the semi-final of the Champions Trophy in Dubai.

ODI Bowling Rankings: Matt Henry's Rise and Shami's Resurgence

New Zealand's Matt Henry was rewarded for his impressive bowling performances in the Champions Trophy, climbing three places to claim the third spot in the ICC Men's ODI Bowler Rankings with 649 rating points. He now trails only Sri Lanka's Maheesh Theekshana (first) and South Africa's Keshav Maharaj (second).

India's Mohammed Shami continued his resurgence, moving up three places to 11th with 609 rating points. South Africa's Marco Jansen (up nine spots to 18th) and England's Jofra Archer (up 13 spots to joint-19th) were also among the major climbers in the latest rankings update.

Afghanistan's Continued Ascent in World Cricket

Afghanistan's stellar performances in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 have not only enhanced their global standing but also showcased the remarkable talent within their squad. With Omarzai leading the charge, the team continues to make significant strides in international cricket, proving they are a force to be reckoned with.