Sri Lankan spinner Mahesh Theekshana has overtaken Afghanistan star Rashid Khan to become the No. 1 bowler in the ODI rankings.

He took four wickets in 12.5 overs in a brilliant performance in the two-match ODI series against Australia.

In the latest ICC rankings update, Theekshana has moved up to the top with 680 rating points, while Rashid has moved to the second spot with 669 rating points.

However, with Sri Lanka not playing ODI cricket in the next three weeks, it is unlikely that Theekshana will remain at number one for long as eight other teams, including Rashid’s Afghanistan, are participating in the ICC Champions Trophy.

Sri Lanka did not qualify for this exhibition series along with the West Indies and will remain spectators in the tournament in Pakistan and Dubai until March 9.

Rashid will play at least three matches in the Champions Trophy, which will give him a chance to reclaim his No. 1 spot in the ICC ODI rankings for bowlers.

Meanwhile, India’s Kuldeep Yadav is also in the running to improve his rankings and is currently ranked fourth with 652 rating points.

He is expected to play at least three matches for India in the group stage, which includes Bangladesh, Pakistan and New Zealand.

Pakistan pacer Shaheen Afridi has slipped to fifth place after a less than stellar Tri-Series at home, but he will be keen to rectify his shortcomings in the Champions Trophy, which begins today.

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner has jumped five places to seventh in the latest rankings update, becoming the latest to break into the top 10.

His left-arm spin bowling has been outstanding in the Tri-Series, as he defended his position with five wickets in three matches.