Afghanistan have reached a new milestone in men’s one-day international cricket, climbing to sixth place in the latest ICC team rankings. The update, dated November 1, 2026, moves Afghanistan into the top six for the first time and gives them their highest-ever position in the format. They are now listed ahead of Sri Lanka, England and the West Indies.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board announced that the team had moved up two places. The rise follows a period of progress in ODI cricket and comes shortly after Afghanistan had returned to seventh place, matching their previous best ranking from May 2025.
Afghanistan break into the top six
The latest ranking update places Afghanistan sixth with 94 rating points. Sri Lanka are seventh, also with 94 points, while England are eighth on 93. Bangladesh occupy ninth place with 81 points and the West Indies are tenth on 79.
Although Afghanistan and Sri Lanka are level on rating points in the published table, Afghanistan are listed one place higher in the rankings. The achievement marks a new high for a side whose previous best position was seventh. Their move into sixth represents the first time the team has broken into the top six of the ICC men’s ODI standings.
The top five remain India, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan and Australia. India lead with 115 points, followed by New Zealand on 109. South Africa and Pakistan are level on 104, with Australia fifth on 102.
A rapid rise over the past week
Afghanistan’s latest jump comes only days after their previous ranking milestone. In the October 24 update, they climbed to seventh with 94 points, moving above England, who were eighth on 93. That position equalled Afghanistan’s earlier best, first achieved in May 2025.
The October rise followed Afghanistan’s seven-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the final of a tri-series that also featured Bangladesh. Afghanistan restricted Zimbabwe to 169 before completing the chase in 34.3 overs. Ibrahim Zadran made an unbeaten 70, while Rahmat Shah contributed 43. Rashid Khan took three wickets in the Zimbabwe innings and was named Player of the Series.
The latest update, published on November 1, moves Afghanistan one place higher still. The Afghanistan Cricket Board said the team had improved by two positions and described the achievement as a reflection of consistent performances and progress in the 50-over format.
Consistency behind the rankings progress
The board has pointed to Afghanistan’s results in bilateral series and major international competitions as evidence of their growing standing in ODI cricket. The team has developed a competitive core across batting, bowling and all-round options, and has increasingly challenged established sides in the format.
The sixth-place position is significant not only because it is a new national high, but also because it places Afghanistan above teams with long histories in international cricket. Sri Lanka, England and the West Indies have all won the men’s ODI World Cup, making Afghanistan’s position ahead of them a notable marker of the team’s progress.
The rankings are a measure of results over a period rather than a reflection of one match alone. Afghanistan’s move from seventh to sixth in the latest update follows their earlier climb after the tri-series win, with the board crediting the wider consistency of the team.
What the latest table says
India remain at the top of the standings, with New Zealand second and South Africa and Pakistan occupying third and fourth. Australia complete the top five. Afghanistan’s sixth-place position puts them immediately behind those leading teams and ahead of Sri Lanka, England, Bangladesh and the West Indies.
Afghanistan now have a new benchmark to defend as they continue their ODI programme and build towards future global tournaments. The latest ranking does not itself decide qualification or tournament outcomes, but it records a significant step in the national side’s development and reflects their growing presence among the leading teams in the format.
Frequently asked questions
What is Afghanistan’s highest-ever position in the ICC ODI rankings?
Afghanistan have reached sixth place in the ICC Men’s ODI team rankings, their highest-ever position in the format. The team entered the top six for the first time in the update announced on November 1, 2026, moving ahead of Sri Lanka, England and the West Indies.
When did Afghanistan move to sixth in the ODI rankings?
Afghanistan climbed to sixth in the latest ICC Men’s ODI team rankings updated on November 1, 2026. The Afghanistan Cricket Board announced that the team had moved up two places, improving on the seventh position they held in the previous update.
How many rating points do Afghanistan have in the ODI rankings?
Afghanistan have 94 rating points in the updated table. Sri Lanka are also listed with 94 points in seventh place, while England are eighth with 93 and the West Indies are tenth with 79. Afghanistan are ranked sixth in the published order.
Who are the top five teams in the November 2026 ODI rankings?
India lead the updated men’s ODI rankings with 115 rating points. New Zealand are second on 109, South Africa third on 104, Pakistan fourth on 104 and Australia fifth on 102. Afghanistan occupy sixth place with 94 points.
What was Afghanistan’s previous best ODI ranking?
Before the latest update, Afghanistan’s highest-ever position was seventh, which they first achieved in May 2025. They returned to seventh place in October 2026 after winning the tri-series final against Zimbabwe, then moved up to sixth in the November 1 update.
Which teams are below Afghanistan in the latest ODI rankings?
Afghanistan are sixth in the November 1 rankings, ahead of Sri Lanka in seventh, England in eighth and the West Indies in tenth. Bangladesh are ninth. The latest table therefore places Afghanistan above three former world champions in the ODI format.