Image: Michael Bracewell breaks into top five all-rounders after strong Pakistan series / © Mint
When it comes to the latest ICC Men’s Player Rankings update, several players have made major moves, thanks to recent performances. Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan has climbed two spots to 21st in the ODI batter rankings after scoring 72 runs in the series against New Zealand. Despite this, India’s Shubman Gill remains the No. 1 ranked batter, followed by Pakistan’s Babar Azam with 766 rating points.
Among all-rounders, New Zealand’s Michael Bracewell made a big leap into the top five. His impactful performance in a three-match series, scoring 85 runs, including a half-century, and picking up two wickets, earned him a two-place boost in the rankings.
The biggest gainer was Kiwi pacer Ben Sears, who rocketed 64 places up in the ODI bowler rankings. Sears’s rise came after a stellar performance in the same series against Pakistan, where he took 10 wickets in just three games, including a match-winning five-wicket haul at Bay Oval.
These changes reflect how performances in a single series can significantly impact ICC rankings, especially when backed by standout stats like Sears’ five-for or Bracewell’s all-round contributions. With the cricket calendar packed, further shifts in the rankings are expected in the coming weeks.