DUBAI: Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam, batter Shan Masood, and fast bowler Mohammad Abbas have made significant gains in the latest ICC Test Rankings following their impressive performances in the opening Test against the West Indies, despite Pakistan suffering a 90-run defeat.
The latest Babar Azam ICC Test Rankings update highlights the progress made by Pakistan’s leading players after the first Test, reflecting individual excellence despite the team’s disappointing result.
Babar Azam Returns to Top 15
In the updated ICC Test batting rankings, Babar Azam climbed four places from 19th to 15th with 686 rating points after producing a solid performance against the West Indies.
Meanwhile, Shan Masood recorded one of the biggest improvements among Pakistan’s batters. His century in the opening Test lifted him eight places from 44th to 36th with 590 rating points, earning him a well-deserved rise in the latest standings.
Several Pakistan Batters Slip
While Babar Azam and Shan Masood improved their positions, several Pakistan batters dropped in the rankings.
- Saud Shakeel slipped three places to 24th with 641 points.
- Mohammad Rizwan fell eight places to 26th with 638 points.
- Salman Ali Agha dropped four positions to 32nd with 607 points.
- Imam-ul-Haq retained 53rd place.
- Abdullah Shafique slipped one spot to 57th.
- Aamer Jamal remained in 100th position.
Australia’s Travis Head continues to lead the ICC Test batting rankings, followed by England’s Harry Brook in second place and Joe Root in third.
Mohammad Abbas Makes Biggest Bowling Jump
In the ICC Test bowling rankings, Mohammad Abbas emerged as Pakistan’s biggest mover.
The experienced pacer climbed nine places from 26th to 17th with 690 rating points, thanks to his impressive bowling performance against the West Indies.
Spinner Noman Ali maintained his seventh position with 809 rating points, remaining Pakistan’s highest-ranked Test bowler.
Mixed Fortunes for Pakistan Bowlers
Several other Pakistan bowlers experienced changes in the latest rankings:
- Shaheen Shah Afridi dropped four places to 29th.
- Sajid Khan slipped one position to 35th.
- Hasan Ali retained 38th place.
- Khurram Shahzad moved down to 52nd.
- Aamer Jamal remained 81st.
- Asif Afridi dropped to 87th.
- Mohammad Ali slipped to 93rd.
- Salman Ali Agha moved down to 99th.
India’s Jasprit Bumrah continues to hold the No.1 spot in the ICC Test bowling rankings, followed by New Zealand’s Matt Henry and Australia’s Mitchell Starc.
Pakistan Players Show Individual Progress
Although Pakistan lost the opening Test by 90 runs, the latest ICC Test Rankings underline the strong individual performances of players like Babar Azam, Shan Masood, and Mohammad Abbas. Their improved rankings will provide confidence ahead of the remaining matches in the series as Pakistan looks to bounce back.
