DUBAI, Sept 7: Pakistan’s champion off-spinner Saeed Ajmal has moved up two places to replace team-mate Mohammad Hafeez as the top-ranked bowler in the ICC player rankings for One-day International (ODI) bowlers.

The latest rankings that were released on Thursday incorporate both the Pakistan-Australia and England-South Africa ODI series.

Saeed was the highest wicket-taker in the series against Australia. He picked 10 wickets at an economy rate of 3.41 with an average of 9.9 in the series. His overall rating of 759 is his career-best.

Meanwhile, Hafeez has slipped to second position in the bowlers’ table. Hafeez achieved his career-best rating of 762 during the series, but finally ended at 747. However, Hafeez has moved up a place to second in the rankings for all-rounders with a career-best rating of 413.

South Africa paceman Lonwabo Tsotsobe, who headed the bowlers’ table before the two series began, is now ranked third.

South Africa’s Hashim Amla, who was the highest run-getter on either side in the series against England with 335 runs, has consolidated his position as the top-ranked batsman, followed by Virat Kohli in second position and A.B. de Villiers in third.

Amla’s overall rating of 901 is the highest of his career and is the eighth best in history.

The rankings for all-rounders are still headed by Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan.

Meanwhile, there has been no change in the ICC ODI Championship table, with England retaining the No 1 position. England will hold the position until at least January 2013, when they travel to India for a five-match series.

A.B. de Villiers’ South Africa sit in second place, despite being on equal points with England after the 2-2 series result, when ratings points are calculated to within the decimal point, South Africa trail England by a mere 0.09 ratings point.

Australia’s 2-1 series win over Pakistan have gained them one rating point to retain fourth position in the table, while Pakistan stay sixth after losing one rating point.—Agencies