Michael Bracewell Climbs ICC Rankings After Stellar ODI Performance Against Pakistan
Bracewell's Rise in ICC All-Rounder Rankings
Dubai: Following New Zealand's clean sweep against Pakistan in the third ODI, stand-in captain Michael Bracewell has ascended to the top five in the ICC Men's All-Rounder Rankings.
The 34-year-old showcased his skills by scoring 85 runs, including a remarkable half-century, during the final ODI, which contributed to New Zealand's 3-0 series victory over Pakistan. He climbed two positions to secure the fifth spot in the all-rounder rankings with a total of 246 rating points, making him the highest-ranked Kiwi in this category, while his teammate Mitchell Santner is positioned sixth.
In the decisive ODI, Bracewell entered the game at number six and delivered a powerful performance, scoring 59 runs off just 40 balls, which included a four and two sixes, helping the Black Caps set a target of 264/8 in their 42 overs.
His contributions didn't end there; he also took the wicket of Faheem Ashraf, finishing with impressive bowling figures of 1-39 in eight overs. Ben Sears' outstanding five-wicket haul led New Zealand to a 43-run victory and a series sweep.
Bracewell's explosive batting performance has also seen him rise 12 places in the batting rankings, now sitting at 89th, while he maintains his 18th position among bowlers, according to ICC reports.
In the ODI batting rankings, there were no significant changes, with India's Shubman Gill holding onto the top position, followed by Pakistan's Babar Azam and Indian captain Rohit Sharma in second and third places, respectively.
Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan made a notable advancement, climbing two spots to 21st in the batting rankings after a commendable performance throughout the three ODIs against New Zealand.
Ben Sears emerged as a significant mover in the bowling rankings, taking five wickets in the series, which brought his total to 10 across the three matches, earning him the Player of the Series title. He surged 64 places to break into the top 100.