Babar Azam rose five spots to sixth in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test Rankings for batsmen in the latest update. Previously 10th, the 29-year-old’s rating rose after the Test series. The failure of Indian and Australian hitters in Test matches helped Pakistan progress.
ICC Test rankings | Babar Azam rises five spots
Kiwi veteran Kane Williamson remains the top Test batsman in the world. Usman Khawaja moves up to eighth after a half-century in the second Test against the Caribbean at the Gabba. Indian star Virat Kohli, who will miss the second Test against England, is sixth. Meanwhile, England batter Ollie Pope reached a career-high rating after his heroics in the first Test against India. He soared 20 spots to 15th.
After six wickets against England, India veteran Ravichandran Ashwin remains at the top of the Test bowlers rankings, while teammate Jasprit Bumrah moves up to fourth after six wickets in Hyderabad. Australia’s captain Pat Cummins is third and South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada second.
However, India’s Ravindra Jadeja leads the Test all-rounder rankings, but if England veteran Joe Root continues his good run with the ball, he may have a new contender.
Root is better known for his willow, but the 33-year-old took five wickets against India with his spin and began the bowling for England in the second innings.
This effort has propelled Root to a career-high Test all-rounder rating and placed him fourth behind Jadeja in the latest rankings.
