By Former cricketer Basit Ali has expressed significant concerns regarding the latest ICC ODI rankings, particularly questioning the placement of Pakistan’s white-ball captain Babar Azam, and India’s Shubman Gill at the top of the batting list.
According to the latest rankings, Babar Azam holds the top position with 824 rating points, followed by Rohit Sharma in second place with 765 points. Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli occupy the third and fourth spots with 763 and 746 points, respectively. Basit Ali has challenged the validity of these rankings, questioning the basis on which they are determined and suggesting that the ICC’s ranking system may be flawed.
Ali voiced his dissatisfaction, stating, “When I saw the ICC ODI rankings, I noticed Babar Azam at the top, Rohit Sharma at number two, Shubman Gill at number three, and Virat Kohli at number four. I found it unnecessary to check beyond these names because I didn’t see Travis Head and Rachin Ravindra listed.”
He expressed skepticism about the rankings, implying that the ICC may not be supportive of Babar Azam’s performance. Ali remarked, “I think the ICC wants Babar not to perform well. Babar might be pleased with his number one ranking, but the criteria for these rankings seem questionable. Who decides these rankings, and on what basis are Babar Azam and Shubman Gill placed where they are?”
Ali also highlighted discrepancies between the rankings and recent performances, especially from the 2023 World Cup. He pointed out that players like Travis Head and Rachin Ravindra, who delivered outstanding performances in the tournament, were not ranked higher. “Babar’s last ODI century was in the Asia Cup against Nepal. During the World Cup, players like Rachin Ravindra, Quinton de Kock, Travis Head, and Virat Kohli scored multiple centuries. Babar Azam, in contrast, didn’t score a single century during the World Cup.”
Ali questioned the logic behind the ICC’s ranking system, suggesting that it does not accurately reflect recent form and performance. He concluded, “The people at the ICC seem to be Babar Azam’s enemies. If you asked Babar himself who should be the number one batter, he would likely choose Travis Head or Virat Kohli over himself. Even Babar might not consider himself as the top-ranked batter.”
Ali’s remarks underscore a broader debate about the accuracy and fairness of cricket rankings and the factors influencing their determination.
