Salman Butt, Gautam Gambhir and Shahid Afridi strike gold in Reliance Mobile ICC Player Rankings
The Pakistan duo of Salman Butt and Shahid Afridi, along with India opener Gautam Gambhir have achieved career-high rankings in the Reliance Mobile ICC ODI Player Rankings at the conclusion of the tri-series in Bangladesh on Saturday.
Salman, who has made a habit of scoring heavily against India, jumps seven places to 16th spot while Gambhir also climbs seven places to sit in 20th position in the Reliance
Mobile ICC Player Rankings for ODI batsmen.
Salman, who was declared player of the tournament, retired hurt after scoring a match-winning 129 in Pakistan’s 25-run victory over India in the final on Saturday in Mirpur. It was not only his highest score in 52 matches but also his seventh ODI century and fifth against India.
With Mohammad Yousuf occupying fourth place behind South Africa’s Graeme Smith, Australia captain Ricky Ponting and Sachin Tendulkar of India, Salman is the second Pakistan batsman to figure in the top 20 list.
Yunus Khan, who won the man-of-the-match award for his innings of 108, is in 33rd spot after improving one place.
Gambhir, who finished as the leading scorer of the series with 209 runs, is the fourth India batsman in the top 20 after Tendulkar, captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (9th) and Yuvraj Singh (14th).
The New Delhi batsman had started the series in 27th position and if he manages to carry his form into the Asia Cup starting 24 June, he has a good chance of improving his ranking again as only 21 ratings points separate him from 15th place Kumar Sangakkara of Sri Lanka.
The biggest jump in the batting list has come from India opener Virender Sehwag, whose 150 runs in the series has helped him rocket 11 places to 38th position.
In the Reliance Mobile ICC Player Rankings for ODI bowlers, Afridi is the biggest mover from the top draw. The wrist spinner strengthens his position in the top 10 by climbing four places to sixth, his best-ever ranking.
Pakistan’s Umar Gul, who was the leading wicket-taker in the series with nine victims, has jumped 10 places to 21st place.
The bowling chart is headed by New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori with Australia’s Nathan Bracken in second spot.
Shahid may have fallen two places to 49th in batting list, but his seven wickets have ensured that he surges past team-mate Shoaib Malik to the top of Reliance Mobile ICC Player Rankings for all-rounders.
Reliance Mobile ICC ODI Rankings (as of 15 June, after tri-series in Bangladesh and prior to the start of England – New Zealand ODI series)
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