Yasir Shah becomes ICC's top-ranked Test bowler

30-year-old leg-spinner was previously ranked number four before the start of England series

Pakistan’s Yasir Shah has been crowned as International Cricket Council’s (ICC) new world number one ranked Test bowler after the spin maestro claimed 10 wickets at Lord’s cricket ground in the national team’s first Test against England.

Shah had the figures of 6-72 and 4-69 at Lord’s, which were enough to knock off England veteran James Anderson and claim the number one position in ICC's rankings for the first time in his 13-Test career.

The 30-year-old leg-spinner was previously ranked number four before the start of the England tour.



Shah’s 10-141 was the best-ever performance by a Pakistani bowler in his maiden Test on English soil, and the best by a Pakistani spinner in England, beating Abdul Qadir’s 10-211 at the Oval in 1987.

On Sunday, the Swabi-born bowled Jonny Bairstow for 48 as he ended the England anchorman’s more than three hours of resistance.

Bairstow's fine innings of 48 comes to an end. #EngvPak https://t.co/pPA3qjQDFA

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 17, 2016

Bairstow’s exit proved the telling blow, with England losing their last four wickets for 12 runs as they were dismissed for 207 in pursuit of a victory target of 283.

Earlier, the leggie’s delivery to Englard's Gary Ballance amazed everyone, and enabled people to draw parallels between the man of the match and Australian legend Shane Warne.

This article initially appeared on cricket.com.au