RAWALPINDI — Pakistan has surged to fourth place in the ICC ODI team rankings after a nail-biting six-run victory over Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi, a result that lifted the Green Shirts above South Africa and reaffirmed their strength in the 50-over format.
The match, played before an energetic home crowd, saw Salman Ali Agha steal the spotlight with a stunning unbeaten 105 off 87 balls an innings filled with composure and flair. His match-winning knock has earned him a leap of 14 spots in the ICC batting rankings, now placing him at 16th among the world’s best.
On the bowling side, Haris Rauf’s fiery spell of four wickets proved crucial in turning the game in Pakistan’s favor. His consistent performances have helped him climb three places to 28th in the global rankings. Interestingly, Abrar Ahmed also moved up 17 positions despite not featuring in the contest a testament to his overall impact in recent performances.
The win didn’t come easy. Sri Lanka fought hard till the final overs, keeping fans on edge throughout the match. But Pakistan’s resilience and ability to handle pressure made the difference when it mattered most.
While Pakistan continues to shine in the ODI format, the team still sits at seventh place in both Test and T20 rankings. With the second ODI against Sri Lanka scheduled later this week in Rawalpindi, the team will look to maintain its momentum and push further up the rankings.
Cricket analysts believe this victory has boosted the team’s confidence ahead of upcoming fixtures. It not only reflects the squad’s growing maturity but also underscores Pakistan’s deep pool of talent a blend of experience and youthful energy that’s beginning to click.
For Pakistan fans, this win is more than just numbers on a chart it’s a reminder that the team’s revival in ODIs is well underway, and their pursuit of global dominance remains very much alive.
