Former Pakistan star criticizes ICC, doubts Babar Azam's top rank

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has taken a strong stance against the International Cricket Council (ICC) following the latest ODI rankings update, where star batter Babar Azam retained his position as the world's top-ranked ODI batsman. This ranking comes despite Babar not playing an ODI match since November 2023. Basit Ali expressed his concerns, suggesting that the ICC's decision to keep Babar at the top might be a deliberate move.

Babar Azam's unchallenged top spot raises questions

Babar Azam, widely regarded as one of the finest batters of his generation, has held the top spot in the ODI rankings for an extended period. However, his continued presence at the pinnacle of the rankings, even after an extended absence from the format, has sparked debate. Basit Ali questioned the logic behind the rankings, pointing out the omission of players like Australia's Travis Head and New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra, who have both showcased remarkable performances in recent months.

"The question arises, who decides these rankings? Babar hasn’t played an ODI since November, yet he remains at the top. It feels like the ICC doesn’t want Babar to perform, so they’ve kept him there," Basit Ali remarked. His comments reflect a broader concern about the transparency and credibility of the ICC's ranking system.

"When I saw the ICC ranking (ODI batters), Babar Azam was at the top, number two was Rohit Sharma, number three was Shubman Gill, and then there was Virat Kohli at number four. I did not find it necessary to read the remaining names because I couldn't see Travis Head and Rachin Ravindra. I think the ICC wants that Babar doesn't perform. He would be happy with being the number one-ranked batter in ODIs. Who gives these rankings? On what basis are Babar Azam and Shubman Gill there," Basit said on his YouTube channel.

"Babar's last ODI was at the last year's World Cup. We saw the likes of Rachin Ravindra, Quinton de Kock, Travis Head and Virat Kohli at the World Cup. They scored three-four hundreds in the tournament. For Pakistan, Mohammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman scored a century each. What kind of ranking do they give," he added.

Indian stars shine as Rohit Sharma climbs to second spot

While Babar Azam's ranking has drawn criticism, the latest update also saw significant movement among other top players. India's captain, Rohit Sharma, made a significant leap in the rankings, climbing to the second spot after an outstanding performance in the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka. Rohit emerged as the top scorer of the series, amassing 157 runs at an average of 52.33 and a strike rate of 141.44, including two half-centuries.

Rohit's rise has placed him just behind Babar in the rankings, followed closely by fellow Indian stars Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli. The Indian trio's presence at the top of the rankings underscores their dominance in the ODI format, even as questions swirl around Babar Azam's continued reign.

See Also: https://www.cricketwinner.com/cricket-news/venkatesh-iyers-stellar-bowling-secures-lancashires-thrilling-one-day-cup-win/

In conclusion, Basit Ali's critique of the ICC has opened up a conversation about the fairness and accuracy of the ranking system, especially when considering the performances of players who have been more active in recent times. As the debate continues, the ICC's ranking criteria may come under further scrutiny.