HARARE, ZIMBABWE - In a landmark moment for the nation's cricket, veteran all-rounder Sikandar Raza has officially reached the pinnacle of the sport, claiming the number one position in the ICC Men's ODI Player Rankings for all-rounders.
The update was confirmed on September 3, 2025, marking a career-first for the 39-year-old star.
This achievement also led to significant gains in his individual rankings. Raza jumped nine places to become the 22nd-ranked batsman in ODIs and moved up one spot to 38th among bowlers, highlighting his exceptional versatility.
In the bowling department, Sri Lankan pacers Dilshan Madushanka and Asitha Fernando also made impressive gains. Madushanka's match-winning four-wicket haul, which included a hat-trick, saw him jump eight places, while Fernando advanced six spots.
Stellar Performance Against Sri Lanka Fuels Ascent
Raza's climb to the top was powered by his outstanding individual performance in the recent two-match ODI series against Sri Lanka in Harare. Although Zimbabwe did not win the series, Raza was a standout player. He scored a commanding 92 runs in the first match and followed it with an unbeaten 59 in the second. His crucial contributions with both bat and ball were enough to elevate him past Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi in the rankings. |
| Sikandar Raza's Historic Achievement |
Other Notable Movements in the ICC Rankings
The series also resulted in significant ranking changes for several Sri Lankan players. Pathum Nissanka, named Player of the Series for scoring 198 runs, climbed seven places to 13th in the batting rankings. His teammate Janith Liyanage also saw a major rise, moving up 13 spots to 29th.In the bowling department, Sri Lankan pacers Dilshan Madushanka and Asitha Fernando also made impressive gains. Madushanka's match-winning four-wicket haul, which included a hat-trick, saw him jump eight places, while Fernando advanced six spots.
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