ICC ODI Rankings in October 2026: What Afghanistan Overtaking England Really Means

On 24 October 2026, the ICC men’s ODI team rankings told a small story with a large meaning. Afghanistan climbed to seventh place, one spot above England. It was only a one-place move, and only one rating point separated the two teams, but it mattered for what it said about both sides. Afghanistan had matched their best ever ODI ranking, while England, the 2019 World Cup winners, had slipped to eighth.

Rankings are easy to dismiss. Fans often say they do not win matches, and they are right. Yet rankings do tell us something useful when we read them carefully. They show form over time, not just form on one day. They show which teams are winning consistently, which teams are losing ground, and where the gaps between teams are closing. Afghanistan moving above England is a good example of all three.

The rankings in late October 2026

The top ten after the update on 24 October 2026 were:

• India: 115 rating points
• New Zealand: 109
• South Africa: 104
• Pakistan: 103
• Australia: 102
• Sri Lanka: 95
• Afghanistan: 94
• England: 93
• Bangladesh: 81
• West Indies: 79

Two things stand out. First, the gap between sixth and eighth is tiny. Sri Lanka on 95, Afghanistan on 94 and England on 93 are separated by just two points. A single series can change that order. Second, there is a clear gap below England. Bangladesh on 81 are twelve points behind England, which shows that the top eight have pulled away from the rest, even if the order inside that group is changing.

How Afghanistan got there

Afghanistan’s rise came after they beat Zimbabwe by seven wickets in a tri-series final at Sharjah on 23 October 2026. Zimbabwe were bowled out for 169, with captain Sikandar Raza top-scoring with 68. Afghanistan chased the target in 34.3 overs, with Ibrahim Zadran finishing unbeaten on 70 and Rahmat Shah adding 43. Rashid Khan took three wickets in the final and finished the tournament as the leading wicket-taker, with eleven wickets in total.

That win gave Afghanistan two extra rating points and lifted them from eighth to seventh. It also matched the highest ranking Afghanistan had first reached in May 2025. In other words, this was not a one-off jump caused by a single lucky result. It was a return to a level they had reached before, built on a tournament win.

Afghanistan’s rise also reflects a wider pattern. Their bowling, led by Rashid Khan, has been their strength for years. Their batting has become steadier, with players such as Zadran and Rahmat Shah able to build an innings rather than rely only on quick hitting. When a team can defend a modest total and chase a modest total with calm, it becomes hard to beat.

Why England fell to eighth

England’s fall was the other side of the same story. They dropped from sixth to eighth, losing two rating points, after back-to-back defeats in the Pakistan ODI Tri-Series in Rawalpindi. They lost to Pakistan, and then they lost to Sri Lanka despite scoring 429 for 4. That second defeat was particularly painful, because Sri Lanka chased down 430 with one ball to spare, completing the second-highest successful run chase in ODI history.

Those two results explain why England’s rating fell, but they do not explain the whole picture. Rankings reflect results over a longer period, not just two games. England’s recent ODI form has been uneven, with strong batting performances not always matched by bowling and fielding that close out games. When a team scores 429 and still loses, the problem is rarely one player. It is usually about bowling at the death, fielding under pressure, and holding nerve when the game is tight.

It is also worth remembering that England are still a very good ODI side on paper. A ranking of eighth does not mean England have become a weak team overnight. It means their recent results have not been as strong as those of the teams above them.

Conclusion

Afghanistan overtaking England in October 2026 is a small move with a clear message. Afghanistan have earned seventh through consistent performances and a tournament win. England have slipped to eighth because their recent results, including two defeats in Rawalpindi, have not been good enough. The gap between them is just one rating point, so the order can change again quickly, but the direction of travel is clear for now. Do not dismiss rankings, but do not treat them as final judgements either. Use them to understand form, to spot rising teams, and to see where pressure is building.

Frequently asked questions

What is Afghanistan’s ODI ranking in October 2026?
Seventh, with 94 rating points, after beating Zimbabwe in a tri-series final at Sharjah on 23 October 2026. This matches Afghanistan’s best ever ODI ranking, first reached in May 2025.

What is England’s ODI ranking in October 2026?
Eighth, with 93 rating points, one point behind Afghanistan and two points behind Sri Lanka in sixth.

Why did England drop in the rankings?
England lost two rating points after back-to-back defeats in the Pakistan ODI Tri-Series in Rawalpindi, against Pakistan and then Sri Lanka, despite scoring 429 in the second of those games.

Does this ranking change affect World Cup qualification?
No. Afghanistan, England and Sri Lanka have already secured direct qualification for the 2027 World Cup. The ranking affects seeding and confidence, not whether they take part.