Fakhar Zaman Breaks Into Top 20 for First Time in His Career

Pakistan explosive opening batsman Fakhar Zaman has broken into the top 20 of Latest ICC Rankings for One-day International batsmen. It is the first time that the southpaw has achieved the feat.

Moreover, the rankings were made public on Sunday (July 29) after Bangladesh won the three-match ODI series against hosts Windies.

Zaman leapfrogged to the top 20 on the back of some stunning performances in the ODI series against African minnows Zimbabwe.

The southpaw smashed 515 runs in the five-match ODI series against Zimbabwe. It helped him gain 22 places to move to the 16^th position. When the rankings were updated the last time on 17^th July, Zaman was in 24^th position.

However, his double century in the fourth ODI and 85 in the final clash ensured he broke into the top 20 for the first time in his career.

Fakhar Zaman only second Pakistan batsman to be placed in the top 20:

Fakhar is currently only the second batsman to feature in the top 20 after the likes of Babar Azam. He reclaimed his second position after scoring 184 runs in the series.

The solid top order batsman is just seven points clear of Joe Root in the third position.

Meanwhile, the list is as expected headed by Indian skipper Kohli. He is a champion in the limited-overs format and might well end his career being all-time best of the 50-overs format.

Meanwhile, opening partner of Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq also made a significant rise in the lasts player rankings. He has gained 70 places after the first three ODI’s. He moved up further by 51 points to finish the Zimbabwe tour in the 43^rd position.

The southpaw scored 395 runs in the five-match series which also included three brilliant centuries.

In the bowling department, Pakistan leg-spinner Shadab Khan and fast bowler Faheem Ashraf have also made significant rises in the latest rankings. Shadab finished in the 31^st position while Ashraf finished in 79^th position.