Afghanistan reach historic high in ICC ODI team rankings, overtake Sri Lanka

Afghanistan have achieved their highest rank in the ODI team rankings in the latest update released by the ICC (International Cricket Council) on Monday, November 2. They have now climbed to sixth spot, surpassing Sri Lanka to secure their highest-ever position.

Afghanistan played their first-ever ODI in 2009 against Scotland and have enjoyed massive success in the format over the past few years. They beat England, Sri Lanka and Pakistan in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in 2023.

They further beat England again in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Afghanistan have won 96 out of their 191 ODIs with a win percentage of 50.26%, and have one tied fixture against India.

Afghanistan were already above teams like Bangladesh, England and West Indies in the rankings and have now also risen above Sri Lanka to achieve their highest-ever position in the ODI Team Rankings.

Afghanistan on seven-match winning streak in ODIs

They recently beat Ireland 4-0 in the five-match series, followed by a triumph in the tri-series featuring Bangladesh and Zimbabwe in the United Arab Emirates. The Rahmat Shah-led side beat Zimbabwe by seven wickets in the final and completed their seventh successive victory in the format.

They recently thrashed Zimbabwe 3-0 in T20I series and will next take them on in a two-match Test series beginning on November 5 in Sharjah, while the second Test will be played from November 13-17 at the same venue.