In a statement released on Wednesday, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced significant progress for Sri Lankan players in the men’s Test player rankings following their impressive performances in the ICC World Test Championship series against Bangladesh.
Sri Lanka’s victory in Chattogram, culminating in a commanding 2-0 series win over Bangladesh, saw notable advancements for key players, including all-rounder Kamindu Mendis and former captain Angelo Mathews.
Kamindu Mendis, whose contributions were instrumental in Sri Lanka’s triumph, showcased his prowess with both bat and ball. His unbeaten knock of 92 runs, coupled with a crucial three-wicket haul in the second innings, propelled him up the rankings ladder. Mendis has surged 18 places to claim the 46th position among batters and gained an impressive 46 slots to reach 117th position among bowlers.
Angelo Mathews, a stalwart of Sri Lankan cricket, exhibited his enduring class with solid performances in the series. His scores of 23 and 56 enabled him to ascend two places to the 25th position in the rankings. Joining him in the upward trajectory is Kusal Mendis, who climbed three places to 52nd after a gritty innings of 93 runs in the first innings.
The bowling department witnessed commendable strides as well, with several Sri Lankan bowlers making notable advancements. Asitha Fernando’s stellar performance, highlighted by a four-wicket haul in the first innings, propelled him seven places up to the 27th position. Vishwa Fernando and Lahiru Kumara also showcased their bowling prowess, advancing to 41st and 44th positions, respectively, in the rankings.
Bangladesh, despite facing defeat, saw some of their players make notable progress in the rankings. Opener Zakir Hasan, following his consistent performances with scores of 54 and 19, climbed three places to secure the 75th position in the Test batting rankings. Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s resilient innings of 81 not out in the second innings propelled him from 99th to 88th position. Additionally, Mominul Haque gained four slots, securing the 46th position after his commendable display with the bat.
A notable mention goes to debutant fast bowler Hasan Mahmud, whose impactful performance earned him a debut entry into the Test bowling rankings, securing the 95th position after claiming six wickets in the match.
The advancements in the ICC Test rankings underscore the talent and skill exhibited by players from both sides during the series. As Sri Lankan stars continue to rise in the rankings, they cement their status as formidable competitors on the international cricket stage, while Bangladesh’s players demonstrate their resilience and potential for growth in the cricketing arena.
