Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah Stay On Top But Mohammad Amir Makes Big Jump In ICC ODI Rankings

Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah stayed on top of the world in the latest ICC ODI rankings. Kohli smashed two centuries during the series against West Indies and the Indian cricket team skipper, with 43 centuries, sits comfortably on top. Jasprit Bumrah, who has excelled in all formats for India in the past season, continues to maintain his top spot. Bumrah is currently on the sidelines and he faces a lengthy break after being diagnosed with a stress fracture on his lower back following the end of the West Indies tour. 

However, the rankings have seen a major jump for Pakistan's Mohammad Amir. The left-arm pacer, who had announced his retirement from Test cricket, picked up four wickets in the recent series against Sri Lanka, has jumped to a career-best seventh spot. His previous best ranking was 10th which he achieved in June 2019. 

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Pakistan cricket was in the midst of massive changes following the end of a disappointing World Cup and the shock retirement of Amir from Tests at the age of 27. On the directives of former Pakistan skipper and current Prime Minister Imran Khan, the PCB has decided to revamp its domestic structure with first-class competition now being limited to just six provincial teams while 16 regional teams will compete in division two (three-day) tournament besides the national one-day cup and T20 competitions. It has also made it mandatory for players to appear in domestic matches to qualify for the Pakistan team. Amir retired from Test cricket at the age of 27 and will focus only on ODIs and Twenty20 Internationals and is apparently planning to settle down in the UK on a spouse visa. This move has prompted the PCB to usher in these changes. 

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In the last match against Sri Lanka in Karachi, Amir picked up three wickets and conceded 50 runs. Danushka Gunathilaka slammed 133 and Sri Lanka reached 297/9 but fifties from Fakhar Zaman, Abid Ali and Haris Sohail helped Pakistan chase down the target and they won the match by five wickets with 10 balls to spare. Pakistan clinched the three-match ODI series 2-0, with the first match being abandoned due to rain and a waterlogged outfield. 

The 2-0 series win has seen Pakistan and Sri Lanka remain in the sixth and the eighth spot respectively in the team rankings. Pakistan will now play three Twenty20 Internationals against Sri Lanka in Lahore while India's next limited overs assignment will be against Bangladesh. India's next ODI series will be against the West Indies and it will take place in December. 

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