Afghanistan reach all-time high 6th in ICC ODI rankings, overtake Sri Lanka
Synopsis
Afghanistan have never stood this high in ODI cricket — sixth in the world as of 2 November, above Sri Lanka, England, Bangladesh and the West Indies. Backed by a 4-0 sweep of Ireland, an unbeaten tri-series run, and Noor Ahmad's career-best 5/13 against Zimbabwe, this is no longer an emerging story. It is an arrival.
Key Takeaways
Afghanistan climbed to sixth in the ICC Men's ODI Team Rankings on 2 November 2026 — their best-ever position.
They have won 96 of 191 ODIs , with a win-loss ratio of 1.09 .
Afghanistan now rank above Sri Lanka , Bangladesh , England , and the West Indies .
Recent highlights include a 4-0 ODI sweep of Ireland and an unbeaten run in a tri-series involving Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.
Noor Ahmad took a career-best 5/13 in the final T20I against Zimbabwe; Azmatullah Omarzai hit 116 off 50 in the second T20I.
Afghanistan reached the semi-finals of the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup for the first time.
Afghanistan have scaled a new peak in their cricketing history, climbing to sixth place in the ICC Men's ODI Team Rankings — their best-ever position in the format. The milestone was confirmed on 2 November 2026, with the side now ranked ahead of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, England, and the West Indies.
A Remarkable Rise Since 2009
Afghanistan entered international one-day cricket as recently as 2009, making this ascent to the top six all the more striking. They have now won 96 of their 191 ODIs, maintaining a win-loss ratio of 1.09 — a figure that underscores their growing consistency in the 50-over format. The pace of their rise has drawn widespread attention across the cricketing world, with the side steadily dismantling the notion that they were merely an emerging nation filling out global fixtures.
World Cup Wins and Global Credibility
Afghanistan's credentials were announced loudly at the 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, where they registered landmark victories over Pakistan and Sri Lanka — two nations with far deeper international pedigrees. Those results signalled that Afghanistan could not only compete but prevail against the game's most established sides. Their reach has also extended to the shortest format: they became the first Afghan side to reach the semi-finals of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, achieving that milestone at the 2024 edition.
Recent Form: Dominant Across Formats
The current rankings surge is backed by a string of impressive results. Afghanistan completed a 4-0 series sweep against Ireland on Irish soil, and then came through a tri-series involving Zimbabwe and Bangladesh without suffering a single defeat. In the T20I arena, they wrapped up a 3-0 series victory over Zimbabwe in Sharjah, sealing the final match with a seven-wicket win after bowling Zimbabwe out for just 79.
Left-arm wrist-spinner Noor Ahmad delivered a career-best 5/13, dismantling Zimbabwe's middle and lower order. Fazalhaq Farooqi, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Abdullah Tarakhail chipped in with early wickets as Zimbabwe collapsed, losing three wickets for 13 runs at one stage. Afghanistan completed the chase in 11.4 overs, with Ibrahim Zadran remaining unbeaten on 25 and Omarzai contributing an unbeaten 18.
Key Performers Driving the Charge
The series had been secured before the final match. In the second T20I, Omarzai's explosive 116 off 50 deliveries powered Afghanistan to a 19-run win, while captain Rashid Khan's all-round contribution was decisive in a 37-run victory in the series opener. This continuity of match-winners across formats is central to Afghanistan's rise — they are no longer reliant on one or two individuals to carry the team.
What Comes Next
With their ODI ranking at an all-time high and T20I form equally compelling, Afghanistan will look to consolidate their position ahead of the next ICC ODI Super League cycle. A sustained run of competitive fixtures against top-eight nations will determine whether sixth is a ceiling or a stepping stone.
Point of View
An increasingly reliable middle order in Omarzai, and a coaching infrastructure that has quietly professionalised the setup. The more pointed question is whether the ICC's bilateral scheduling infrastructure will now reflect Afghanistan's tier-one relevance — or whether fixture lists will lag behind the rankings table, leaving the team without the high-stakes ODI series they need to sustain and test this level.
NationPress
2 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Afghanistan's current ICC ODI ranking?
As of 2 November 2026, Afghanistan are ranked sixth in the ICC Men's ODI Team Rankings — their highest-ever position in the format. They have moved above Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, England, and the West Indies.
When did Afghanistan enter international ODI cricket?
Afghanistan began playing international ODI cricket in 2009. Their rise to sixth in the world rankings within roughly 17 years is widely regarded as one of the most rapid ascents in the format's history.
What recent results pushed Afghanistan up the ICC ODI rankings?
Key results include a 4-0 ODI series sweep of Ireland, an unbeaten run through a tri-series involving Zimbabwe and Bangladesh, and a 3-0 T20I series whitewash over Zimbabwe in Sharjah. Their 2023 Cricket World Cup wins over Pakistan and Sri Lanka were also pivotal.
Who were the standout performers in Afghanistan's T20I series win over Zimbabwe?
Left-arm wrist-spinner Noor Ahmad claimed a career-best 5/13 in the final match, while Azmatullah Omarzai scored 116 off 50 deliveries in the second T20I. Captain Rashid Khan also made an all-round contribution in the series opener.
How does Afghanistan's ODI ranking compare to their T20I achievements?
Afghanistan's sixth-place ODI ranking mirrors their progress in T20Is, where they reached the semi-finals of the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup — a first for the nation. Across both formats, Afghanistan are now firmly established among the top cricketing nations globally.
