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Saim Ayub Breaks into Top 100, Shaheen Afridi Loses Top Spot to Rashid Khan in Latest ICC Rankings

Pakistan’s rising star Saim Ayub has made a significant impact on the ICC ODI rankings, breaking into the top 100 for the first time. Following his explosive century against Zimbabwe in the second ODI, Ayub climbed to 90th among ODI batters. The 21-year-old’s quickfire knock has solidified his reputation as one of the most promising young players in Pakistan’s lineup.

However, there was a setback for Pakistan in the bowling rankings. Ace pacer Shaheen Afridi lost his spot as the number-one ranked ODI bowler to Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan. Afridi, who missed the first two matches of the series in Bulawayo, slipped in the rankings despite being a consistent performer in recent months.

While Ayub’s rise highlights the strength of Pakistan’s new talent pool, Afridi’s slide emphasizes the competitive nature of the ICC rankings. Afridi’s dominance has been a hallmark of Pakistan’s ODI strategy, but his absence provided an opportunity for Rashid Khan to take the top spot.

In the Test format, no Pakistani players made notable gains in the latest rankings update, but the team continues to rely on its experienced players to maintain their standings in the global arena.