The latest ICC rankings have brought a mix of triumph and setbacks for Pakistani cricketers. While Saud Shakeel achieved a career milestone, other prominent players like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Fakhar Zaman saw their rankings decline, highlighting the stiff competition in international cricket.
Saud Shakeel Breaks into Top 10 in Test Rankings
Pakistan’s vice-captain Saud Shakeel continues to shine in the Test format, securing the 8th position with 724 points. This career-high achievement reflects his consistent performances, even as other Pakistani players experienced setbacks.
Other Pakistani Players in Test Rankings
| Player | Current Ranking | Rating Points |
|---|---|---|
| Saud Shakeel | 8th | 724 |
| Babar Azam | 18th (↓1) | 670 |
| Salman Ali Agha | 20th (↓) | — |
| Mohammad Rizwan | 21st (↓) | — |
Bowling Standings in Tests
Among bowlers, Pakistan’s seasoned campaigners Noman Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi retained their positions at 9th and 15th, respectively. However, Naseem Shah slipped to 39th, while Sajid Khan held onto his 38th spot.
India’s Jasprit Bumrah reclaimed the top spot in the ICC Test Bowling Rankings with an exceptional performance against Australia in the ongoing World Test Championship series, claiming match figures of 5/30 and 3/42.
ODI Rankings: A Tough Period for Pakistani Players
Pakistani cricketers faced notable challenges in the ODI rankings.
- Fakhar Zaman, previously a top-10 player, dropped to 14th.
- Imam-ul-Haq fell to 17th after losing two spots.
- Shaheen Shah Afridi, once the top-ranked ODI bowler, slipped to 2nd, overtaken by Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan.
ODI Bowling Rankings: Key Shifts
| Bowler | Current Ranking | Rating Points |
|---|---|---|
| Shaheen Shah Afridi | 2nd (↓1) | 682 |
| Haris Rauf | 17th (↓2) | — |
| Rashid Khan (Afghanistan) | 1st (↑) | — |
India and South Africa emerged as strong competitors, with Kuldeep Yadav rising to 4th and Keshav Maharaj to 3rd in ODI bowling rankings.
Indian Players Dominate Across Formats
The resurgence of Indian players in ICC rankings underscores their current dominance in international cricket.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal claimed the 2nd spot in Test batting rankings.
- Virat Kohli, a consistent performer, climbed to 13th in Test batting rankings.
- Jasprit Bumrah’s brilliant form in the ongoing series pushed him to the top of the Test bowling charts.
Conclusion
The ICC’s latest rankings reflect a period of highs and lows for Pakistan’s cricket team. Saud Shakeel’s rise offers a glimmer of hope for the team, but the downward trends for key players like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Fakhar Zaman highlight the challenges they face. As India and other nations continue to perform exceptionally, Pakistan must regroup and work on regaining their standing in both Test and ODI formats.
For Pakistani cricket fans, the rankings are a call to rally behind their players as they aim for a strong comeback in the competitive international arena.
