Babar Azam Makes a Comeback to ICC Test Batting Top 10
Babar Azam Re-enters Top 10 in Test Batting Rankings
Babar Azam, the captain of the Pakistan Test team, has made a notable return to the ICC Men's Test Batting Rankings, landing in the top 10 for the first time in two years. This achievement follows his team's impressive eight-wicket victory over the West Indies in Port of Spain, which concluded the two-match ICC World Test Championship series. The 31-year-old batsman scored 88 runs in the first innings and remained unbeaten with 24 runs in the second, propelling him five spots up to the 10th position. Previously, he had fallen out of the top 10 in September 2024 after maintaining his rank there for five consecutive years, as reported by the ICC. His highest ranking was second, achieved during a home series against England in December 2022.
In addition, Abdullah Shafique, who was awarded Player of the Match for his remarkable innings of 160 not out and 24 runs, has climbed 25 positions to reach 32nd place, surpassing notable players such as Marnus Labuschagne, K.L. Rahul, and fellow countrymen Salman Agha and Shan Masood.
West Indies, Pakistan Bowlers Climb Rankings
The bowling rankings have also seen movement, with West Indies fast bowler Shamar Joseph advancing one spot to 19th after taking three wickets in the match. Meanwhile, Pakistan's off-spinner Sajid Khan has moved up five places to 30th, new-ball bowler Mohammad Ali has risen eight spots to 85th, and left-arm spinner Ali Usman has made a significant leap of 58 places to 97th, according to the ICC.
Updates in Men's ODI Rankings
In the ICC Men's ODI Batting Rankings, Afghanistan's opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz has climbed three positions to 11th after scoring 32 and 71 in the second and third matches against Ireland.
Oman's Hammad Mirza has moved up two spots to 85th, while the UAE's Rahul Chopra has made a remarkable jump of 37 places to joint-97th following their performances in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 series held in Dundee.
Ireland's seam bowler Mark Adair has returned to 17th position after taking two wickets in each of the two matches against Afghanistan, and Scotland's Brandon McMullen has advanced 10 spots to joint-48th in the bowlers' rankings after claiming three wickets against Canada and the UAE.
World Test Championship Standings
The drawn Test series between the West Indies and Pakistan has not improved their standings, as both teams currently occupy the bottom two spots in the ICC World Test Championship points table. Australia leads with 87.50 percentage points, having secured seven wins and one loss in eight matches, followed by South Africa at 75.00 and New Zealand at 72.22.