Rashid Khan has done it again. After shredding Bangladesh in a 3‑0 ODI sweep, the Afghanistan leg‑spinner has reclaimed the summit of the ICC men’s ODI bowling rankings. Eleven wickets at an eye‑watering average of just 6.09 and an economy rate of 2.73 propelled him from sixth position back to No. 1, giving him 710 rating points, thirty clear of South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj.
The climb is important not just for the bowler but for Afghanistan cricket overall, especially when seen with the rise of opener Ibrahim Zadran to second in the ICC men’s ODI batting rankings. These changes in rankings show that Afghanistan’s players are making history and giving fans a new story to enjoy.
This story will explore how Rashid Khan reclaimed his crown, what his teammates have achieved in the batting rankings, and what these twin surges mean for the global 50‑over game.
Rashid Khan’s road to the summit of the ICC men’s ODI bowling rankings
Rashid Khan’s return to the top of the ICC men’s ODI bowling rankings is a classic case of talent meeting timing. Heading into the October series against Bangladesh, he was ranked sixth, but his leg‑spin wizardry decimated the opposition.
Rashid captured 11 wickets across three matches, including a five‑wicket haul, and conceded runs at barely over two an over. In addition, this dominance propelled him above Keshav Maharaj and the other competitors, bringing him to 710 rating points.
This marks his third stint at No. 1; he first rose to the top in 2018 and briefly returned there in November 2024.
- Series stats: 11 wickets, average 6.09, economy 2.73.
- Rating points: 710 (30 ahead of Keshav Maharaj).
- Previous peaks: topped the rankings in 2018 and 2024.
A table of the top five bowlers underscores the scale of his achievement:
| Rank | Bowler (team) | Rating |
| 1 | Rashid Khan (Afghanistan) | 710 |
| 2 | Keshav Maharaj (South Africa) | 680 |
| 3 | Maheesh Theekshana (Sri Lanka) | 659 |
| 4 | Jofra Archer (England) | 654 |
| 5 | Kuldeep Yadav (India) | 650 |
Rashid’s ascent is more than a statistical quirk; it signals the growing influence of Afghanistan’s spinners. His leg‑breaks, disguised like sleights of hand, zipped past Bangladeshi bats and caused mayhem.
As a journalist might frame it, the Afghan star has become to ODI bowling what a master chef is to spices, transforming raw ingredients into magic. The leg‑spinner’s success also holds up a mirror to global bowling trends; with the ICC men’s ODI bowling rankings now topped by a wrist‑spinner from a non‑traditional powerhouse, a new era of spin‑friendly domination could be afoot.
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The Batting Boom: Ibrahim Zadran And The ICC Men’s ODI Batting Rankings
While Rashid Khan spun webs, opener Ibrahim Zadran lit up the scoreboard. The 23‑year‑old right‑hander amassed 213 runs in the Bangladesh series, averaging more than 70, which rocketed him eight places up the ICC men’s ODI batting rankings to No. 2. With 764 rating points, Zadran trails India’s Shubman Gill by just 20 points and stands as the highest‑ranked Afghan batter ever.
Following Afghanistan’s ODI series win over Bangladesh, Rashid Khan and Azmatullah Omarzai have risen to the No. 1 spots in the ODI rankings as bowler and all-rounder, marking a major boost for the duo in international cricket.#ICCRankings pic.twitter.com/ftffxhteGd
— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) October 15, 2025
His rise is a watershed: the ranking’s top ten now features an Afghan opener alongside luminaries such as Rohit Sharma, Babar Azam and Virat Kohli. Zadran’s leap also coincides with Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s move to 16th and reflects how Afghanistan’s batting unit is maturing in tandem with its bowling prowess.
The current top order of the ICC men’s ODI batting rankings reads as follows:
| Rank | Batter (team) | Rating |
| 1 | Shubman Gill (India) | 784 |
| 2 | Ibrahim Zadran (Afghanistan) | 764 |
| 3 | Rohit Sharma (India) | 756 |
| 4 | Babar Azam (Pakistan) | 739 |
| 5 | Virat Kohli (India) | 736 |
Zadran’s surge not only elevates Afghanistan’s batting reputation but also complements Rashid Khan’s dominance in the ICC men’s ODI bowling rankings. Like two halves of a well‑balanced meal, the bowling and batting rankings now feature Afghan names near the summit, reflecting a team that is no longer content to play the underdog.
In addition, the synergy between the two rankings also hints at a future where Afghanistan could simultaneously boast top‑ranked players in both disciplines, a feat once considered fanciful.
What Does The Rankings Shake‑up Mean For Afghanistan And The Odi Landscape?
To understand the broader significance of Rashid Khan’s No. 1 status in the ICC men’s ODI bowling rankings, one must look beyond numbers. Afghanistan’s climb mirrors a wider democratization of cricketing power.
Rashid’s mastery has inspired a generation of young spinners back home, while Zadran’s assault on the ICC men’s ODI batting rankings is giving Afghan youths a batting hero to emulate. Together they form a one‑two punch that could turn Afghanistan into a perennial threat in upcoming global tournaments, such as the Champions Trophy and the World Cup.
From a global perspective, the new rankings inject fresh storylines into ODI cricket. In addition, South Africa’s Maharaj and Sri Lanka’s Theekshana will be eager to reclaim the top bowling spot, while India’s star‑studded batting line‑up remains under pressure from Zadran.
Amit Mishra’s Take
Rashid Khan’s coronation at the top of the ICC men’s ODI bowling rankings is the headline, but it is part of a broader Afghan renaissance. His 11‑wicket haul against Bangladesh and 710 rating points confirm that the leg‑spinner still has plenty of tricks.
Equally important is Ibrahim Zadran’s surge up the ICC men’s ODI batting rankings, which signals a batting line‑up coming of age. As a journalist, I feel we are witnessing the dawn of a new era where Afghanistan’s cricketers rewrite record books rather than merely fill them.
Watching how long Rashid Khan can fend off challengers in the bowling rankings and whether Zadran can overtake Shubman Gill in the batting table will be as compelling as any ODI series. If their recent performances are anything to go by, fans should brace for more surprises.
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FAQs
Who is Rashid Khan and why is he No. 1 in the ICC men’s ODI bowling rankings?
Rashid Khan is Afghanistan’s star leg‑spinner. His 11‑wicket haul against Bangladesh in October 2025 propelled him to the top of the ICC men’s ODI bowling rankings with 710 rating points. The combination of low average and miserly economy rate helped him surpass South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj.
How many times has Rashid Khan topped the ICC men’s ODI bowling rankings?
He has now been No. 1 on the ICC men’s ODI bowling rankings three times: first in 2018, again briefly in November 2024, and most recently after Afghanistan’s 3‑0 sweep of Bangladesh in 2025.
How did Ibrahim Zadran climb the ICC men’s ODI batting rankings?
The opener scored 213 runs in three matches against Bangladesh, averaging over 70. That performance elevated him from tenth to second in the ICC men’s ODI batting rankings with 764 rating points, just behind India’s Shubman Gill.
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