Dubai, 02 November (H.S.): Afghanistan have climbed to sixth place in the latest ICC Men’s One-Day International (ODI) Team Rankings, overtaking Sri Lanka to achieve their highest-ever position in the format.

Since making their ODI debut in 2009, Afghanistan have made consistent progress on the international cricket stage. Their landmark achievements include victories over Pakistan and Sri Lanka at the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup and a maiden appearance in the semi-finals of the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

Afghanistan have played 191 ODI matches so far, winning 96 of them and recording an impressive win-loss ratio of 1.09.

Having already moved ahead of established cricketing sides such as Bangladesh, England and the West Indies, Afghanistan have now surpassed Sri Lanka to break into the top six of the rankings for the first time.

The team’s recent successes include a commanding 4-0 series victory over Ireland on their home turf and an unbeaten campaign in the recently concluded tri-nation series involving Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.

Afghanistan have also maintained their winning momentum in the T20 International format, recently completing a 3-0 series clean sweep against Zimbabwe.

The team will now turn its attention to the longest format of the game, with a two-match Test series against Zimbabwe scheduled next.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar