Babar Azam Picture Credit: ICC
Pakistan skipper Babar Azam has surpassed Virat Kohli to become the number -1 ranked ODI batsman in the world. The right-handed batsman is only the fourth cricketer from his country to reach the number 1 position in the ICC ODI Rankings. He achieved the feat after the latest weekly update which is carried out on Wednesdays, as part of the new ICC regulations. The 26-year-old's 82-ball 94 in the last match of the series against South Africa helped him gain points and overtake the India captain. He is now 8 points ahead of Virat with as many as 865 points against his name.
Kohli remained at the top for 1258 days
Babar ended Virat's long reign at the top of the ODI batting rankings. To be precise, Virat stayed at the pole position for 1258 days. Other than Babar, only Zaheer Abbas, Javed Miandad and Mohammad Yousuf from Pakistan have reached the number 1 ranking in the past. In Test match cricket, Babar has attained a best of fifth position but is currently ranked sixth. In the T20Is, he is a former number 1 and is currently sitting at the third position.
Fakhar Zaman reaches career-best ranking
In addition, Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman reached a career-best ranking of number 7 after his knock of 101. Meanwhile, left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Afridi and left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz also made rapid gains owing to their their three-wicket hauls in the match.
For South Africa, all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo and Temba Bavuma made the only notable gains.