DUBAI: Pakistan’s domination on the ICC ODI Batting Rankings further strengthened after left-handed opener Imam-ul-Haq moved a spot up to claim the fourth spot as per the latest update.
Imam, who enjoyed a delightful home ODI series against the West Indies, has gotten the reward of his astounding performance as he was the eye-catching mover in the latest ranking update, issued by the cricket governing body.
The left-handed opener turned out to be a consistent contributor for his side in the home ODI series against New Zealand as he hit two half-centuries and a match-winning 90 in the third fixture of the five-match series.
Imam-ul-Haq accumulated 174 runs in three matches he played during the series at a healthy average of 58.
It propelled Imam one place to fourth on the latest ODI rankings and Pakistan, consequently, now hold three of the top four players ahead of this year’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup courtesy of skipper Babar Azam (first) and fellow opener Fakhar Zaman (third).
South Africa’s Van der Dussen is the only player separating the Pakistan trio in the ODI Batting Rankings chart as he replaced Fakhar to move to the second spot.
Besides batters, Pakistan bowlers – Haris Rauf and Mohammad Wasim Jr – also made significant leaps at the back of a decent home series against New Zealand.
Rauf, who finished as the leading wicket-taker of the PAK vs NZ ODI series with nine scalps, jumped nine places to 42nd, while Wasim Jr escaped the top 100 and onto 69th overall; courtesy of his six wickets in three matches.
READ: De Bruyne rocket leaves Manchester City and Real Madrid level