DUBAI — In a rare shift in world cricket rankings, Pakistan’s Babar Azam has slipped out of the top five ODI batters for the first time in six years, according to the latest update released by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday.
Babar, who dominated the ODI batting charts since 2019 and held the No. 1 position for a record stretch, now sits at sixth place after a dip in recent performances and strong showings from other international players.
Cricket analysts say the fall marks the end of an era where Babar consistently remained among the world’s elite batters, admired for his elegant stroke play and consistency. However, many believe he still has the potential to reclaim his top spot with upcoming series on the horizon.
Despite the rankings setback, Babar remains Pakistan’s leading run-scorer in ODIs over the past decade and continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the team’s batting strength.
