NEW DELHI: Zimbabwe may have lost the two-match ODI series 0-2 against Sri Lanka in Harare, but all-rounder Sikandar Raza has been rewarded for his stellar performances by rising to the top of the ICC Men's ODI All-Rounder Rankings.
The right-handed batter Raza delivered impressive performances, scoring 92 and an unbeaten 59 in the two matches, while also contributing with figures of 1/48 from 10 overs in the first ODI.
Raza's efforts lifted him to a rating of 302, taking him past Afghanistan's Azmatullah Omarzai (296) and Mohammad Nabi (292). His batting performances also propelled him nine places up to 22nd in the ODI Batting Rankings.
It was Sri Lanka, however, who made the biggest gains in the latest rankings update after securing victories in both matches at the Harare Sports Club.
Pathum Nissanka came closest to breaking into the unchanged top 10 of the batting rankings, climbing seven spots to 13th (654 points) with scores of 122 and 76 in the series. Janith Liyanage also rose 13 places to 29th, while in the Bowling Rankings, pacers Asitha Fernando (up six spots to 31st) and Dilshan Madushanka (up eight spots to 52nd) were the notable movers.
Elsewhere, South Africa's dominant win over England in the first ODI at Headingley also shook up the standings, with Keshav Maharaj extending his lead at the top of the Bowling Rankings to 31 rating points (690) after claiming a four-wicket haul.
Sri Lankan spinner Maheesh Theekshana, who shared top spot with Maharaj last week, slipped to second with 659 points.
