Shaheen Afridi becomes No.1 ODI bowler for first time
Kolkata: Pakistan's lead pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi on Wednesday became the new number one bowler in ODIs, achieving the feat for the first time in his eventful career that has been a mix of many highs and few lows.
He jumped seven places to displace Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood from the top in the latest ICC rankings.
Afridi's rise to the top comes a day after his team's victory over Bangladesh in the World Cup in which he captured three wickets for 23 runs.
The match also saw him reach his 100th ODI wicket, which came in his 51st game, making him the third fastest to achieve the landmark in the format to date, besides being the fastest pacer to do so.
He is now the joint highest wicket-taker of the competition along with Adam Zampa of Australia, having taken 16 wickets in seven matches at an average of 19.93 and an economy of 5.22, including a five-wicket haul.
Meanwhile, Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj and left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav were placed third and seventh respectively.
As for the batters, Pakistan skipper Babar Adam led the chart. India's Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were ranked second, fifth and seventh respectively.
Among all-rounders, the list is headed by Shakib Al Hasan of Bangladesh.
While India's Hardik Pandya dropped a place to 11th, Ravindra Jadeja stayed in 13th position, while Pakistan's Shadab Khan was down a couple of slots to 20.
Joy for Pakistan as Shaheen Afridi is crowned No.1 ranked bowler on the latest @MRFWorldwide ICC Men's ODI Player Rankings 👏
— ICC (@ICC) November 1, 2023
Details 👇https://t.co/jB7vDWimfq pic.twitter.com/RqAX91N5mj
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Allahabad HC orders probe into 'reinstatement' of teacher in UP's Barabanki
Lucknow (PTI): The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court on Friday ordered a probe by the special task force (STF) into alleged irregularities in the rejoining of a teacher at City Intermediate College in Barabanki, observing that the reinstatement appeared to be prima facie illegal.
The court also directed the recovery of the salary paid to the teacher during the disputed period.
A bench of Justice Rajeev Singh passed the order on a petition filed by the college management committee. The court expressed doubts over the roles of the District Inspector of Schools (DIOS), Barabanki, the college principal and the teacher concerned and hence, directed a detailed inquiry into the matter.
Taking note of alleged manipulation of records and misleading submissions, the court ordered the immediate transfer of the Barabanki DIOS to ensure a fair probe. It also directed the initiation of disciplinary proceedings against the then joint director of education of the Ayodhya division.
In its order, the court found that the teacher, Abhay Kumar, was initially appointed as an assistant teacher in 2018 but joined an Eklavya Model Residential School in Chhattisgarh as a lecturer in June 2024 without obtaining permission from the management. His subsequent request to retain the lien was rejected.
Despite this, he was allowed to rejoin the Barabanki College in September 2025 on the directions of the joint director of education and the DIOS, and was even paid the salary for October 2025. The court termed the rejoining "wholly illegal" and lacking any legal basis.
The bench also expressed concern over lapses in communication within the education department and directed the Uttar Pradesh chief secretary to ensure that official orders are communicated through email and WhatsApp as well, to prevent disputes.
The matter is next listed for hearing on May 28 when a compliance report is sought.
