Zimbabwe star Sikandar Raza Becomes ICC World’s No 1 ODI All-Rounder

Zimbabwe star Sikandar Raza has climbed to the No. 1 spot in the ICC ODI all-rounder rankings, following a stellar two-match series against Sri Lanka. Raza scored 151 runs across two games, including back-to-back half-centuries, and chipped in with a wicket to achieve a career-best 302 rating points.

The 38-year-old leapfrogged Afghanistan duo Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi to secure the top position. This marks a historic milestone for Raza, who also moved up nine places in the batters' rankings to 22nd.

Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka Players on the Rise

• Sean Williams (Zimbabwe) jumped seven spots to reach 16th among all-rounders, while also improving slightly among batters, sitting at 47th.
• Charith Asalanka (Sri Lanka captain) moved up four spots to 21st among batters.
• Pathum Nissanka, the leading run-scorer of the series with 198 runs, surged seven places to 13th.
• Janith Liyanage, with an unbeaten 70 in the first ODI, vaulted 13 places to 29th.

England vs South Africa Series Impact

The opening ODI between England and South Africa at Headingley also triggered significant changes:

• Aiden Markram (86 off 55) climbed three spots to reach 20th.
• Temba Bavuma dropped six spots after a low score.
• Jofra Archer re-entered the top 20 bowlers, rising six spots to 19th.
• Lungi Ngidi jumped five places to joint-23rd, alongside Alzarri Joseph (West Indies).

Other Notable Movements

Asitha Fernando (+6) and Dilshan Madushanka (+8), fresh from his hat-trick, both rose in the bowling charts.

Richard Ngarava (Zimbabwe) gained two places, now at 20th among bowlers.

With Wanindu Hasaranga slipping one spot due to non-participation, Ravindra Jadeja benefitted, moving up to 8th.