Dubai, Aug 13:
Pakistan’s successful Caribbean campaign has translated into a significant boost in the latest ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings, with captain Babar Azam returning to the top 10 while Abdullah Shafique and Sajid Khan also made notable gains.
Babar’s rise comes after Pakistan secured an eight-wicket victory over the West Indies in Port of Spain to level the two-Test World Test Championship series. The right-hander played a decisive role in the win, scoring 88 in the first innings before remaining unbeaten on 24 in the chase. The performance lifted Babar five places to 10th among Test batters, marking his return to the elite group for the first time since September 2024.
He had previously spent five consecutive years inside the top 10, reaching a career-high second position in December 2022. The biggest leap among Pakistan’s batters, however, came from Abdullah Shafique. The recalled No.3 was named Player of the Match after an unbeaten 160 in the first innings and 24 not out in the second.
His outstanding performance propelled him 25 places to 32nd. Sajid Khan also benefited from Pakistan’s victory, moving five places to 30th in the Test bowling rankings after another influential outing with his off-spin. Mohammad Ali climbed eight places to 85th, while left-arm spinner Ali Usman made one of the biggest jumps of the update, rising 58 spots to 97th.