Star India and Australia pacers rule the roost in latest rankings for bowlers in ODIs ahead of World Cup 2023

Mohammed Siraj has been a class apart in ODI cricket in recent times and his surge to the top of the ICC rankings for bowlers was proof of the same. Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood has had his share of struggles with injuries in the past but is now looking fit and will have a big role to play in the ODI World Cup, which begins on Thursday, October 5.

The marquee event is set to be played in India. The conditions in most of the venues are expected to help the spinners more than the pacers. Interestingly, Siraj and Hazlewood will go into the tournament, tied on the ICC rankings for bowlers in the 50-over format.

Mohammad Siraj was ahead of Hazlewood on ranking points prior to the third and final ODI between India and Australia. However, the Indian seamer conceded 68 runs in his nine overs in the high-scoring encounter and lost 11 points. Hazlewood bowled steadily in the same match, finishing with figures of 2/42 in eight overs. Now, the two pacers are tied on 669 ranking points.

The two talented pacers will square off on October 8 as India and Australia lock horns in the fifth match of the ODI World Cup at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Shaheen Afridi swaps places with Mitchell Starc

Pakistan's Shaheen Afridi, who is on 632 ranking points, climbed up two places to the sixth position, swapping places with fellow left-arm seamer Mitchell Starc (628), who is currently at the eighth spot.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Nabi displaced Kuldeep Yadav and entered into the top-10 rankings for bowlers. The Indian spinner will have the chance to re-enter the top 10 with a good performance in the ODI World Cup 2023.

As far as the rankings for batters are concerned, Pakistan's captain Babar Azam tops the list with 857 ranking points. He is ahead of Shubman Gill, who is 18 points behind him. David Warner, who scored three fifties against India, moved two places up to join Ireland's Harry Tector at the fourth position. Shakib Al Hasan holds firm at the top of the rankings for all-rounders.