Istafa Ali
According to the most recent update, former Pakistan captain Babar Azam has climbed five spots to take fifth place among batters in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test Rankings.
The 29-year-old was ranked 10th before his success in the just finished Test series helped him move up in the rankings. The inability of the hitters from Australia and India to perform effectively in their individual Test matches also contributed to Pakistan’s improvement.
Ollie Pope, an England batsman, has achieved a new career-high rating as a result of his valiant performance during the opening Test match against India. He moved up an incredible 20 spots to take 15th.
As the top-ranked Test hitter in the world, Kane Williamson, a veteran from New Zealand, continues to lead the pack. Usman Khawaja, the opener for Australia, moves up to seventh position after scoring fifty runs in the first half of the second Test match against the Caribbean team at the Gabba. Now ranked sixth is India’s standout player Virat Kohli, who will also miss the second Test against England.
After taking six wickets in his match against England, India’s experienced bowler Ravichandran Ashwin remains atop the Test bowlers rankings. His teammate Jasprit Bumrah is closing in on top spot, having moved up to fourth after taking six wickets of his own in Hyderabad. Kagiso Rabada of South Africa is in second place, and Pat Cummins, the captain of Australia, is currently in third place.
However, if England veteran Joe Root can maintain his recent good ball-handling performances, he could soon face a new opponent for the top spot in the Test all-rounder rankings, held by India’s Ravindra Jadeja.
Although Root is more known for his work with the willow, the 33-year-old used his more than useful spin to take five wickets against India, even opening the bowling for England in the second innings.
Root’s performance has elevated him to a new career high position as a Test all-rounder, and the perennial England player has moved up one spot to fourth place behind Jadeja in the latest rankings.
