Pakistan Pair Shine in ICC Men’s Test Rankings

Pakistan Pair Shine in ICC Men’s Test Rankings

Two Pakistani cricketers have surged into the top 10 of the ICC Men’s Test Rankings following their stellar performances in the ongoing series against the West Indies. Batter Saud Shakeel and bowler Noman Ali have made remarkable gains in their respective disciplines, further solidifying Pakistan’s dominance in the Test arena.

Saud Shakeel, now ranked 8th in the ICC Men’s Test Batting Rankings with 753 rating points, played a pivotal role in Pakistan’s 127-run victory in the first Test. His composed knock of 84 runs in the first innings not only helped Pakistan gain an upper hand but also saw him leapfrog Australia’s Steve Smith (746 points, 9th) and India’s Rishabh Pant (739 points, 10th) in the rankings. England’s batting stalwarts Joe Root (895 points) and Harry Brook (876 points) continue to occupy the top two spots, with New Zealand’s Kane Williamson (867 points) in third place.

On the bowling front, Noman Ali has broken into the ICC Test Bowler Rankings top 10, claiming the 9th spot with 761 rating points. His exceptional six-wicket haul in Multan against the West Indies has not only propelled him up the rankings but also reaffirmed his importance in Pakistan’s bowling attack. The bowling leaderboard remains dominated by India’s Jasprit Bumrah, who holds the No. 1 position with a career-high 908 points. He is followed by Australia’s Pat Cummins (841 points) and South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada (837 points).

In addition to Shakeel and Noman, Pakistan’s Sajid Khan also made significant strides in the ICC rankings. His match-winning performance, which included crucial wickets, saw him rise 18 places to No. 23 with 621 points. Meanwhile, West Indies’ Jomel Warrican, who claimed a 10-wicket haul in the same match, climbed 12 spots to No. 41.

Although there has been no change in the ICC Men’s Test All-Rounder Rankings, with India’s Ravindra Jadeja (400 points) leading the pack, followed by South Africa’s Marco Jansen (294) and Bangladesh’s Mehidy Hasan (263), Pakistan’s consistent performances continue to elevate the nation’s stature in the ICC rankings.

With Pakistan leading the two-Test series 1-0, their players’ rise in the ICC rankings reflects their ongoing excellence in international cricket.