Smriti Mandhana moves to 2nd spot in ICC ODI batting rankings
Dubai, May 13 (PTI): Stylish opener Smriti Mandhana inched closer to reclaiming the world number one spot in the ICC Women's ODI batting rankings, rising one place to second after playing a pivotal role in India's triumph in the recent Tri-Nation tournament in Sri Lanka.
Mandhana, who last achieved the top ranking for ODI batters in 2019, was in excellent touch during the recent matches against Sri Lanka and South Africa, amassing 264 runs across five innings to finish as the second leading run-scorer in the tournament.
Mandhana, who had slammed a 101-ball 116 in the final against Sri Lanka, is just 11 rating points away from top-ranked South African skipper Laura Wolvaardt, who managed just 86 runs during the Tri-Series.
Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu made ground inside the top 10 as she rose two places to seventh after scoring 139 runs for her side during, while Jemimah Rodrigues (up five spots to 15th) and South Africa's Chloe Tryon (up nine places to 18th) also improved.
India spinner Sneh Rana was adjudged Player of the Series in Sri Lanka and the experienced tweaker was among the big movers on the updated list for bowlers that is still headed by England's Sophie Ecclestone.
South Africa seamer Nadine de Klerk also gained one place to move to 24th overall on this list, while Rana jumped four spots to 34th following her 15 wickets in the Tri-Series at an average of just 14.
Australia's Ash Gardner maintained her place as the No.1 ranked all-rounder in ODI cricket, with India's Deepti Sharma improving one place to fifth overall following some impressive efforts in Sri Lanka.
There were also gains for Tryon (up three places to 11th) and de Klerk (up four spots to 12th).
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Experience comes when you play bigger teams in bilateral series: Rashid Khan
Chennai (PTI): Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan called for more bilateral series against stronger cricketing nations after his team signed off from the T20 World Cup on a high, defeating Canada in their final group match here on Thursday.
Afghanistan played some exhilarating cricket, going down to South Africa in a gripping second Super Over after the scores were tied, a humdinger that provided one of the early thrills of the World Cup.
However, the spin-bowling stalwart said Afghanistan could make significant strides if they get regular opportunities to compete against stronger cricketing nations.
"Couple of areas to improve, with the batting, the middle order got a bit stuck against the big teams, and then with the bowling the death overs. That comes when you play the bigger teams in bilateral series," said Rashid after his team defeat Canada by 82 runs, with him returning excellent figures of 2 for 19.
The stalwart said the side had arrived well prepared for the tournament and produced some breathtaking cricket, but admitted the narrow defeat to South Africa proved costly and remained a painful setback.
"We were well-prepared (for the tournament), we played some unbelievable cricket. The game against South Africa, that really hurt everyone. We had to win one of those (first two) games and see how the tournament unfolded. We'll take some positive things from this World Cup and look forward," he said.
With head coach Jonathan Trott set to part ways with the team, Rashid described the departure as an "emotional" moment for the side.
"I think we had some wonderful times with him. Where we are now, he played a main role. It's emotional to see him leave us, but that's how life is. We wish him all the best and somewhere down the line we see him again."
Ibrahim Zadran, who was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 95 off 56 balls, said it was satisfying to finally register a substantial score after two below-par outings.
"I enjoyed it, didn't play better cricket in first two innings, which I expect. Wanted to back my skills, really enjoyed it. Pressure was there, it's there all the time. I want to put myself in pressure situations and enjoy it," said Zadran.
"Wanted to play positive cricket, rotate strike and punish bad ball, create partnerships and this is what I have done."
