Pakistani cricketer Babar Azam, who will be opening against New Zealand today, has lost his top spot in the International Cricket Council (ICC) ranking to India’s Shubman Gill.
Gill is now No.1 in the One-Day International (ODI) batting ranking. His total points are 796 while Babar Azam has 773 points. India skipper Rohit Sharma remained in the third spot.
It is pertinent to mention that this was the second time Gill claimed the top ranking in his career since World Cup 2023, which took place in India.
Mohammad Rizwan has moved up six spots and has claimed the 15th position after Fakhar Zaman who is 14th. Salman Agha also moved 24 places to 48th position.
In the all-rounders’ rankings, Afghanistan’s Mohammad Nabi remains No.1, while New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner gains one spot to sixth.
The ranking got released just before the start of Pakistan match against New Zealand. Pakistan won the toss and chose to bowl. The match is taking place in Karachi.
Babar Azam as an opener
Despite below-average performance by Babar Azam, Rizwan, and the management have entrusted him once again, as he will be opening Pakistan’s batting lineup along with Fakhar Zaman.
PLAYING XIs
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan(w/c), Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed
New Zealand: Devon Conway, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham(w), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner(c), Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, William ORourke
