Azmatullah Omarzai has achieved the top ICC ODI all-rounder ranking following his impressive performance in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where he recorded significant wickets and runs. This success has pushed teammate Mohammad Nabi to second place. Additionally, other players like Ibrahim Zadran, Shubman Gill, and Steve Smith have also seen improvements in their rankings, highlighting a competitive landscape in international cricket.
Azmatullah Omarzai, an emerging star in Afghanistan’s cricket, has recently claimed the top position in the ICC Rankings for all-rounders. The 25-year-old’s ascent followed a stellar performance in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where he achieved a five-wicket haul against England and scored a crucial 50 against Australia, culminating in a career-high rating of 296 points. His success led to the dethronement of teammate Mohammad Nabi, who fell to second place.
In the latest ICC ODI batter rankings, Omarzai’s contributions, and his overall performance—totaling 126 runs in the Champions Trophy—propelled him up 12 spots to rank 24th with 598 rating points. The tournament also enabled Ibrahim Zadran to shine, as his remarkable 177 runs against England helped him soar 13 places, landing him in the 10th position with 676 rating points.
Rankings adjustments also benefited other players. Australia’s Steve Smith rose six spots to 16th, while New Zealand’s Kane Williamson climbed eight spots to 29th. On the batter’s side, India’s Shubman Gill held onto the No. 1 ranking, and his teammate Virat Kohli made a significant move to fourth after stellar performances in the Champions Trophy semi-final.
In bowling, New Zealand’s Matt Henry elevated to third place, earning 649 rating points due to his excellent tournament performance. Sri Lankan spinner Maheesh Theekshana tops the bowling rankings, while South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj is second. India’s Mohammed Shami and South Africa’s Marco Jansen also climbed up the rankings, following consistent performances in the tournament.
Omarzai’s remarkable rise to the top of the ICC all-rounder rankings and his significant contributions in the ICC Champions Trophy underscore the growing talent within Afghanistan’s cricketing ranks. His success reflects the team’s overall performance in the tournament, which also saw other players like Ibrahim Zadran and Shubman Gill enhancing their standings. This momentum indicates a promising future for Afghanistan cricket on the world stage.
Original Source: www.icc-cricket.com
