Imam-ul-Haq earns dividends after top performance against South Africa

Pakistan top order batsman Imam-ul-Haq's efforts with the bat finally earned him dividends after the youngster gained nine slots to reach a career-best 16th position on the latest MRF Tyres ICC Men’s ODI Player Rankings.

After a humiliating 3-0 whitewash in the Test series, Pakistan put up a fight in the One Dayers against the South Africa, and this was largely due to Player of the Series Imam who score some 271 runs in the five match series, which Pakistan lost 3-2.

Among bowlers, youngster Shaheen Shah Afridi, who came into prominence in last year’s ICC U19 Cricket World Cup in New Zealand, also made major leaps in the latest rankings. The lanky left-arm fast bowler has moved up 38 slots to 74th position after taking six wickets in the series.

Meanwhile, Pakistan remained the fifth ranked ODI side with 102 points.

For South Africa, Quinton de Kock jumped up one place to eighth, Hashim Amla moved up three places to 13th and Reeza Hendricks was up 36 places to 94th among batsmen. Whereas, for Proteas bowlers Andile Phehlukwayo who took eight wickets in the series gain 13 places and reach 19th position and Dwaine Pretorious has moved up from 53rd to 44th slot.