Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam has climbed to fifth place in the ICC Test Rankings batsman in the latest update provided by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
The 29-year-old previously held the tenth spot, but his ranking significantly improved due to India and Australia’s batters not performing well in their recent Test matches.
Meanwhile, England’s Ollie Pope has achieved a new career-high rating after his impressive performance in the first Test against India, rising an impressive 20 places to 15th.
New Zealand’s veteran Kane Williamson continues to lead as the No.1 ranked Test batter globally. Australia’s opener Usman Khawaja has moved up two places to eighth after his half-century in the second Test against the Caribbean side at the Gabba. India’s star Virat Kohli, who is set to miss the second Test against England, is now at sixth.
India’s Ravichandran Ashwin remains at the top of the ICC Test rankings for bowlers after taking six wickets against England. His teammate Jasprit Bumrah is closing in on the top position, moving up to fourth after claiming six scalps in Hyderabad. South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada holds the second position, while Australia’s captain Pat Cummins is now in third place.
India’s Ravindra Jadeja leads the Test all-rounder rankings comfortably. However, England’s Joe Root may pose a challenge soon if he continues his recent decent performances with the ball.
Though Root is primarily known for his batting, the 33-year-old impressed with his spin, taking five wickets against India. This performance has propelled Root to a new career-high rating for Test all-rounders, moving him up one place to fourth behind Jadeja on the updated rankings.