Younus, Misbah leapfrog in ICC rankings

Pakistan earn two rating points after win.

Pakistan batsman Younus Khan, Test captain Misbahul Haq and fast-bowler Umar Gul climbed up in the International Cricket Council Player Rankings after their strong performances in the Test series against New Zealand, according to the ICC press release.

Khan moved up five places to seal the 14th number Test batsmen spot after his scores of 73 and 81 in the Wellington Test, whereas Misbah leapfrogged six places to reach 30th place. Gul’s four for 87 and four for 61 earned him the 17th place in the Test bowlers category, moving ahead four places.

Pakistan’s first Test series win after four years, where they overcame the Kiwis 1-0, earned them two ratings points. The team now stands on 90 points, trailing fifth-placed Australia by 17 points and leading seventh-placed West Indies by five. Eighth-placed New Zealand, in contrast, have conceded two ratings points to 78.

Also returning to the top 20 is New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor, his innings of 78 and 52 propelled him to the 20th spot.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 21^st, 2011.