Istafa Ali
Babar Azam: ODI No. 1 Batter All Set to Lead His Troops in World Cup
On the eve of ICC World Cup 2023, ICC updated ICC ODI rankings. India’s Mohammad Siraj and Australian bowler Josh Hazlewood top the ODI bowling rankings as both pacers are combined on No. 1 spot. Both pacers have 669 points. Mohammad Siraj dropped 11 points after third ODI between India and Australia.
Afghanistan spin duo Mujeeb ur Rehman and Rashid Khan are at third and fourth spot respectively. While Pakistan’s quickie Shaheen Afridi climbs two spots to sixth in the rankings swapping with Mitchel Starc who dropped to eighth position. Both left arm pacers will face each other on October 20th in the World Cup.
Meanwhile Pakistan Skipper Babar Azam holds on to top position in ODI batters ranking and even widens gape with Shubman Gill. The Indian opener lost eight points when he missed the third ODI against Australia. Currently Babar Azam has 857 points while Indian young talented batter Shubman Gill is closely standing just behind him on 839 points.
Babar Azam is going to the World Cup as the best batter of the world as he ranks No. 1 in ICC ODI batting ranking. Babar seemed out of touch according to his standards in the Asia Cup. But a knock of 80 and 90 runs consecutively in the warm up matches against quality bowling attacks of New Zealand and Australia will give Babar a lot of confidence and he is back in form at the right time. Pakistan batting that heavily relies on Babar Azam, Pakistani openers also need to click and score at a good rate if the men in green have to be strong contenders for the most prestigious trophy in the world of cricket.
England Lose to New Zealand but set a Unique Record In ODI Cricket
World Cup will kick off today with a repeat of 2019 final, where the World Champions will face the finalists of that match New Zealand in the first match of World Cup. Pakistan will play their first match of the mega event against Netherlands on Friday.
