(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Babar Azam Falls Out of ICC ODI Top Five for the First Time in Six Years
Nov 12, 2025
Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam has slipped out of the top five in the ICC Men’s ODI Batting Rankings for the first time in six years — a rare dip for a player who has long defined consistency in modern-day cricket.
The latest ICC rankings update highlights Babar’s struggles with form, as he now sits at seventh position, ending an extraordinary run that began back in 2019. His recent series of low scores in Pakistan’s ODI matches has contributed to the slide, marking the end of a remarkable era of dominance among the world’s elite one-day batters.
From No. 1 to Out of the Top Five
Babar’s fall in the rankings contrasts sharply with his career peak when he ruled the world as the No. 1 ODI batsman. In April 2021, he famously dethroned Indian legend Virat Kohli, becoming only the fourth Pakistani to hold the top spot — joining greats like Zaheer Abbas, Javed Miandad, and Mohammad Yousuf.
He went on to retain the No. 1 position for over 29 months, a testament to his consistency and match-winning prowess. During that stretch, Babar was the benchmark for excellence in 50-over cricket, piling up runs with remarkable regularity.
Struggles in Recent Months
However, the past year has seen Babar’s form dip noticeably. The lack of big innings and a prolonged century drought across formats have sparked discussions about his rhythm and confidence at the crease.
For a player with an ODI average near 50, even a brief slump becomes magnified. His inability to convert starts into match-winning scores has cost him crucial rating points in the ICC system.
A Challenge, Not the End
Despite this setback, cricket experts believe that Babar Azam’s class is undeniable and that it’s only a matter of time before he finds his way back among the top-ranked players.
Dropping out of the top five may symbolize the end of a golden statistical run, but it also opens a new chapter — one that could see Babar stage a strong comeback ahead of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy and the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Babar’s legacy as one of Pakistan’s finest modern batsmen remains intact; the challenge now is to reignite the form and flair that once made him the undisputed king of ODI batting.
