ICC Test Rankings: Babar Azam moves up, Saud slides down

The latest ICC Test rankings reflect notable shifts in player standings across batting and bowling categories. Former Pakistan skipper Babar Azam climbed to 12th place in the Test batting rankings after contributing 58 and 81 in the recent series against South Africa, nearing the coveted top 10.

Saud Shakeel, however, dropped five places to 11th with 724 points, narrowly missing his spot among the elite batters. Mohammad Rizwan rose two places to claim 19th, Salman Ali Agha reached 22nd, and captain Shan Masood advanced to 45th following consistent performances.

In India’s camp, Rishabh Pant re-entered the top 10 batters, securing ninth position after his 40 and 61-run knocks in Sydney. Yashasvi Jaiswal held firm at No. 4, trailing Joe Root (No. 1), Harry Brook (No. 2), and Kane Williamson (No. 3).

On the bowling front, Australia’s Scott Boland achieved a career milestone by breaking into the top 10, sharing ninth place after a phenomenal Border-Gavaskar Trophy performance. His 21 wickets at an average of 13.19, capped with a match-winning 10-wicket haul at the SCG, earned him the Player-of-the-Match title and a leap of 29 spots.

India’s Jasprit Bumrah maintained his reign as the top Test bowler with a record 908 rating points, followed by Pat Cummins and Kagiso Rabada in second and third positions.

South African batters also excelled, with Temba Bavuma’s century pushing him to a career-best sixth, Ryan Rickelton soaring to 55th after a double-century, and Kyle Verreynne climbing to 24th.

Pakistan’s bowlers faced setbacks, with Noman Ali and Shaheen Afridi slipping to 11th and 21st, respectively. Mohammad Abbas and Naseem Shah dropped to 24th and 34th, while Abrar Ahmed advanced one spot to 58th. Khurram Shahzad and Aamer Jamal experienced notable declines, landing at 63rd and 80th places.

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