Afghanistan have moved above Sri Lanka to sixth place in the latest ICC Men’s ODI Team Rankings, their highest position in the format.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings place Sri Lanka seventh. Both teams are on 94 rating points, and Afghanistan are now also ranked above England, Bangladesh and the West Indies.

Afghanistan’s rise follows a 4-0 ODI series victory over Ireland and an unbeaten campaign in the recently concluded tri-series involving Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.

Since making their ODI debut in 2009, Afghanistan have won 96 of their 191 matches, a win-loss ratio of 1.09.

India remain at the top of the rankings, followed by New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan and Australia.

Background

The ICC rankings are calculated from a team’s results, with the strength of the opposition taken into account, and the resulting rating points decide the order. Because Sri Lanka and Afghanistan are level on 94 points, the gap between them is small, and the order can change again after the next series.

Sri Lanka’s slide to seventh is a setback for the former world champions, who had climbed as high as fourth in 2025 after a strong run of ODI performances, including notable home series victories. Sri Lanka won the 50-over World Cup in 1996.

Afghanistan made their ODI debut in 2009, and the team has since built a record of more wins than losses in the format. Their current position is the best they have held in the ODI rankings.

The rankings also matter for tournament entry. The ICC has already confirmed automatic qualification for the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup, alongside hosts South Africa and Zimbabwe, based on the ODI rankings at the cut-off date of 30 September 2026.

What it means

For Sri Lanka supporters, the change in the table has no effect on the team’s place at the 2027 World Cup, which the ICC has already confirmed on the basis of the September rankings.

The drop does show how little separates the teams in the middle of the table. With both sides on 94 points, results in Sri Lanka’s next ODI series will decide whether the team moves back above Afghanistan.