On Wednesday, Pakistani Test cricketer Saud Shakeel entered the ICC Men’s Test Batting Rankings’ top 10.
Shakeel rose 20 ranks to sixth in the ICC’s official rating. His stellar home Test series performance against England was crucial to this success. Pakistan triumphed 2-1 over England in the third Test to win the series. The national team led by 77 runs in the first innings on a spinner-friendly wicket.
In 2023, Shakeel scored 728 against Australia in Melbourne, a career-best.
Joe Root leads the standings, followed by Kane Williamson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Harry Brook, Steven Smith, and Usman Khawaja before Shakeel. Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne, Sri Lanka’s Kamindu Mendis, and New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra are eighth, ninth, and tenth, respectively. Ravindra rose eight rankings to enter the top 10.
Indian star Virat Kohli fell to 14th, while Pakistan’s Babar Azam rose to 18th. The ICC’s top 10 Test bowlers now include Pakistan’s Noman Ali, who rose eight places to ninth.
Shaheen Shah Afridi fell from 14th to 15th. Kagiso Rabada of South Africa is the top Test bowler after rising three positions, followed by Jasprit Bumrah of India.
