Kolkata: Star Proteas batsman AB De Villiers made it to the top in the ICC rankings for ODI batsmen while Pakistan’s fast bowling sensation Hasan Ali now tops the list of ODI bowlers in the latest update of the rankings on Friday.
AB De Villiers was on a rampaging mood as he made his return for the Proteas after a while and announced his presence once again with a belligerent 176 of just 104 balls that consisted of 15 fours and seven sixes. This innings not only led South Africa to a magnificent win and gain a 2-0 lead in the three-match series against Bangladesh, but also propelled them to the top of the ODI rankings, surpassing India.
The talismanic right-hander climbed to the top of the rankings, going past Australian David Warner and Indian skipper Virat Kohli for the 14th time in his career so far. He had first achieved the number one position on May 30, 2010 and his stay at the top with 2124 days is only second to the West Indian legend Vivian Richards who had occupied the number one spot for 2306 days.
Babar Azam from Pakistan also moved up two places in the rankings to attain a career-best fourth rank while South African wicket-keeper batsman Quinton De Kock gained three places to go up to the fifth position. Proteas opener Hashim Amla also moved up two places to grab the ninth position and Bangladeshi wicket-keeper batsman Mushfiqur Rahim also attained the 18th rank after gaining five places.
Pakistan’s Hasan Ali, as a result of his scintillating five-wicket haul against Sri Lanka in the match of the ODI series gained six places to reach to the top of the ICC rankings for bowlers in ODIs and has become the fifth bowler after Trent Boult, Imran Tahir, Kagiso Rabada and Josh Hazelwood to become the number one ranked bowler this year.
Also, Suranga Lakmal of Sri Lanka moved up three places to reach to the 36th position while South Africa’s Andile Phehlukwayo gained a whopping 30 places to reach to the 52nd position. Bangladesh’s Rubel Hossain also a rise by seven places to reach to the 61st position..
Veteran all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez climbed up the list to reach to the top of the all-rounders in ODIs. He went past Shakib- Al-Hasan of Bangladesh as he went on to claim the top spot for the ninth time since achieving the feat for the first time in 2013.
India, on the other hand would look forward to reclaim the top spot in the ODI rankings as they take on New Zealand at home in a three-match ODI series beginning on October 22. Virat Kohli and his men would have to win the series 3-0 to claim the number one spot once again provided South Africa beat Bangladesh in the third ODI of the series.
Tied at 120 points, South Africa are ahead of India by decimals numbers. The Proteas would end up with 121 points if they win the third ODI against Bangladesh and win the series 3-0 while India’s win over New Zealand in the first ODI on Sunday would guarantee them a top spot.
If India wins the match, then they too would have 121 points but would edge past South Africa by decimal points. But a 3-0 on the part of the men in blue would ensure that they retain the top spot.