Afghanistan have reached a historic milestone in international cricket, breaking into the top six of the ICC Men’s ODI Team Rankings for the first time and moving ahead of former world champions Sri Lanka, England and the West Indies.The Afghans have climbed to sixth place in the latest rankings, surpassing Sri Lanka to secure their highest-ever position in the 50-over format. It marks another significant chapter in the remarkable rise of a side that made its ODI debut only in 2009 and has steadily established itself among the most competitive teams in international cricket.Their latest achievement is particularly significant given the established cricketing nations they have overtaken. Afghanistan had already moved ahead of Bangladesh, England and the West Indies in the rankings and have now gone past Sri Lanka to break into the top six.
From debutants to a force in world cricket
Afghanistan’s rise has been built on consistent performances and landmark victories against some of the biggest names in the game.Since making their ODI debut in 2009, they have won 96 of their 191 matches, boasting an impressive win-loss ratio of 1.09. Their progress gathered momentum during the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, where they produced memorable victories over former champions Pakistan and Sri Lanka.They carried that confidence into the shortest format, reaching the semi-finals of the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup for the first time. The campaign further underlined their growing stature, as they demonstrated their ability to compete with the world’s leading sides on the biggest stage.
Winning momentum fuels historic rankings rise
Afghanistan’s latest climb has been backed by an impressive run of results in recent months.They began their recent surge with a dominant 4-0 away series victory over Ireland before maintaining an unbeaten record in the tri-series involving Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.Their impressive form has also extended to T20Is. Afghanistan recently completed a 3-0 series whitewash against Zimbabwe, sealing the clean sweep with a convincing seven-wicket victory in the third and final match in Sharjah on Sunday.The Afghans will now turn their attention to the longest format, with a two-match Test series against Zimbabwe next on the schedule.
