🌍 A Landmark Shift in World Cricket
Cricket rankings often reflect more than just numbers — they capture a team’s form, resilience, and consistency. Pakistan’s latest rise in the ICC ODI team rankings has created fresh buzz in international cricket. Despite South Africa defeating England in a recent series, a 342-run loss in the final ODI dealt them a blow, opening the door for Pakistan to overtake them.
As of now:
- Pakistan sits at 5th place (100 points) 🏆
- South Africa drops to 6th place (99 points)
- Sri Lanka holds 4th place (103 points), just ahead of Pakistan
Meanwhile, in the ICC T20I all-rounder rankings, Saim Ayub’s meteoric rise 🌟 marks the arrival of a new star. He jumped five places to break into the top 10, a significant milestone in his career.
This blog dives deep into:
✅ Pakistan’s ODI journey
✅ What the ranking shift means
✅ The rise of Saim Ayub and other Pakistan all-rounders
✅ A detailed comparison with rivals
✅ FAQs answered for cricket fans
📊 ICC ODI Team Rankings – Current Standings
As of the latest ICC update, here’s how the ODI team rankings look:
| Rank | Team | Rating Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1️⃣ | India 🇮🇳 | 122 |
| 2️⃣ | New Zealand 🇳🇿 | 116 |
| 3️⃣ | Australia 🇦🇺 | 111 |
| 4️⃣ | Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 | 103 |
| 5️⃣ | Pakistan 🇵🇰 | 100 |
| 6️⃣ | South Africa 🇿🇦 | 99 |
| 7️⃣ | Afghanistan 🇦🇫 | 92 |
| 8️⃣ | England 🏴 | 90 |
| 9️⃣ | West Indies 🌴 | 86 |
| 🔟 | Bangladesh 🇧🇩 | 84 |
👉 Key takeaway: Pakistan are now just 3 points behind Sri Lanka and within striking distance of the top four.
🇵🇰 Pakistan’s Rise in ODIs – Consistency Over Brilliance
Pakistan’s upward surge in ODI rankings has not come overnight. Several factors contributed to this leap:
✅ 1. Strong Series Performances
- Pakistan registered wins against Afghanistan and New Zealand in 2024.
- Competitive showings against India and Sri Lanka kept their momentum alive.
✅ 2. Balanced Squad Combination
The team has found a balance between:
- Experienced core (Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Fakhar Zaman)
- Emerging stars (Abdullah Shafique, Usama Mir, Mohammad Wasim Jr.)
✅ 3. Bowling Strength
Pakistan’s traditional fast-bowling depth remains unmatched. With Shaheen, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, and Wasim Jr., their attack can trouble any batting lineup.
✅ 4. Fitness & Fielding Improvements
Once criticized for poor fielding, Pakistan’s fitness levels and sharp fielding standards have improved drastically under the new coaching setup.
🇿🇦 South Africa’s Sudden Drop – What Went Wrong?
South Africa’s slip to 6th wasn’t due to a lack of talent but rather inconsistency.
⚠️ 1. Crushing Defeat Against England
Despite winning the series 2-1, their massive 342-run defeat in the final ODI exposed weaknesses in their batting depth and bowling execution.
⚠️ 2. Over-Reliance on Key Players
- Quinton de Kock and Kagiso Rabada remain their mainstays.
- Middle-order collapses have hurt them repeatedly.
⚠️ 3. Missed Opportunity
Had South Africa maintained consistency, they could have solidified 4th place. Instead, the humiliating loss pushed them below Pakistan.
🌟 The Rise of Saim Ayub – Pakistan’s Next Superstar
If there’s one name making waves in 2025, it’s Saim Ayub. The young left-hander, known for his fearless stroke play, is quickly establishing himself as Pakistan’s answer to modern-day T20 demands.
📈 His Latest ICC Ranking Surge
- Jumped 5 spots → Now ranked 9th in T20I all-rounders.
- Equal with Marcus Stoinis (Australia).
🔑 Why Saim Ayub Stands Out
- Explosive Batting 💥 – Strike rate over 140 in T20Is.
- Handy Bowling 🌀 – Provides useful spin overs.
- Fearless Mindset 🧠 – Doesn’t get bogged down under pressure.
- Future Leader 🏏 – Many experts see him as a long-term T20 captaincy option.
🇵🇰 Other Pakistan All-Rounders in the ICC Rankings
Pakistan’s all-rounder pool is shaping up well, with multiple players making moves:
- Mohammad Nawaz 🌀 – Climbs 5 spots to 16th with 153 points.
- Shadab Khan 🐉 – Drops 5 places, now at 28th with 113 points.
- Faheem Ashraf ⚡ – Slips to 54th, struggling for form.
- Abbas Afridi 🎯 – Falls to 62nd.
- Salman Ali Agha 🔥 – Rises 6 positions to 77th.
This mix shows that while Pakistan has plenty of all-rounder depth, only Saim Ayub and Nawaz are currently climbing upward.
🌍 Global T20I All-Rounder Rankings – The Top 10
| Rank | Player | Country | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1️⃣ | Hardik Pandya | India 🇮🇳 | 231 |
| 2️⃣ | Mohammad Nabi | Afghanistan 🇦🇫 | 221 |
| 3️⃣ | Dipendra Singh Airee | Nepal 🇳🇵 | 205 |
| 4️⃣ | Sikandar Raza | Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 | 197 |
| 5️⃣ | Shakib Al Hasan | Bangladesh 🇧🇩 | 190 |
| 6️⃣ | Wanindu Hasaranga | Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 | 184 |
| 7️⃣ | Moeen Ali | England 🏴 | 172 |
| 8️⃣ | Marcus Stoinis | Australia 🇦🇺 | 166 |
| 9️⃣ | Saim Ayub | Pakistan 🇵🇰 | 166 |
| 🔟 | Glenn Maxwell | Australia 🇦🇺 | 162 |
👉 Observation: Saim Ayub is already among elite global names, and at just 22, his ceiling is incredibly high.
🏆 What This Means for Pakistan Cricket
The twin milestones — ODI rise and Saim Ayub’s T20I breakthrough — signal a new chapter for Pakistan cricket.
🔮 Implications for the Future
ODI World Cup 2027 Preparation 📅
Pakistan’s rise is a step toward building momentum for the next World Cup.Emergence of Next-Gen Stars 🌟
Players like Saim Ayub, Usama Mir, and Naseem Shah are becoming global names.Brand Pakistan Cricket 📢
The cricketing world takes note when Pakistan climbs rankings — it boosts their reputation internationally.📌 Challenges Ahead for Pakistan
Despite the good news, Pakistan must address some key areas:
- ❌ Middle-order inconsistency in ODIs.
- ❌ Shadab Khan’s dip in form, which leaves a leadership and spin gap.
- ❌ Fitness issues for pacers — frequent injuries to Shaheen/Naseem could hurt progress.
- ❌ Fielding lapses still cost 10–15 runs per match.
If Pakistan fixes these weaknesses, they can break into the top 3 ODI teams soon.
📖 Historical Context – Pakistan in ICC ODI Rankings
- 1990s – Pakistan was a dominant ODI side, winning the 1992 World Cup.
- 2000s – Inconsistency plagued them, though individual stars shone.
- 2017 – Pakistan stunned India to win the Champions Trophy, climbing rankings.
- 2023 – Pakistan reached No.1 ODI ranking briefly before World Cup 2023.
- 2025 – Once again on the rise, sitting at 5th place.
👉 This trajectory shows Pakistan’s ability to bounce back stronger after every setback.
❓ FAQs – Pakistan Surpasses South Africa in Rankings
Q1: Why did Pakistan overtake South Africa in ODI rankings?
👉 Because South Africa’s heavy defeat against England in their last ODI reduced their rating points, allowing Pakistan to move ahead.Q2: Who is Pakistan’s highest-ranked ODI batter?
👉 Babar Azam, consistently ranked in the ICC ODI top 5 batters.Q3: How high can Saim Ayub climb in T20I all-rounder rankings?
👉 If he continues his current form, he could break into the top 5 within a year.Q4: What is Pakistan’s best-ever ODI ranking?
👉 Pakistan reached No.1 in May 2023 before the World Cup.Q5: Who are Pakistan’s top ODI bowlers right now?
👉 Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah are currently their leading wicket-takers.📝 Cricketory Insights
At Cricketory, we see this ranking shift as more than just a numerical jump — it represents a psychological turning point for Pakistan cricket. South Africa’s dip gave Pakistan the opening, but the Green Shirts still had to remain consistent to seize it. That consistency is what fans have long been demanding.
👉 On ODIs: Pakistan’s placement at 5th confirms that they’re not just dependent on individual brilliance anymore. A more structured approach, smarter rotation policies, and a deeper pool of youngsters (like Usama Mir and Wasim Jr.) are giving stability. If they can sustain this model, Pakistan could overtake Sri Lanka within the next few months.
👉 On Saim Ayub: His entry into the T20I all-rounder top 10 is huge. At just 22, Saim represents the modern T20 cricketer: power-hitting, versatility with the ball, and fearless intent. In our view, he’s not just a rising star — he’s a potential global franchise favorite who can redefine Pakistan’s batting reputation in the shortest format.
👉 On South Africa: Their slip serves as a reminder that in international cricket, consistency matters more than one-off series wins. A single bad loss can undo months of hard work. Pakistan must learn from this and ensure they don’t repeat the same mistake.
🔮 Final Thought from Cricketory:
Pakistan cricket is entering a transitional era where the next generation is ready to carry the torch. If nurtured well, this blend of youth and experience can push Pakistan back into the world’s top 3 across formats within the next two years.🏁 Conclusion: Pakistan’s Momentum Is Real
Pakistan’s climb to 5th place in ICC ODI rankings is more than a statistical rise — it reflects a team that is regaining confidence, balance, and global respect.
Simultaneously, Saim Ayub’s breakthrough in the T20I all-rounder rankings marks the start of a new era of Pakistani talent, one where fearless young stars lead the way.
With the Asia Cup 2025 in progress and the Champions Trophy 2026 around the corner, Pakistan cricket seems poised for an exciting future. If consistency follows talent, the Green Shirts could soon be back among the world’s top 3 across formats.