Sports

Azhar Ali rises in Test batsmen’s rankings

32-year-old jumps to eighth on par with South Africa’s Hashim Amla

Sports Desk May 05, 2017

TEAM MAN: Azhar will not be cherishing his rise in the rankings since Pakistan need to beat West Indies in the third and final Test to stay put on fifth position. PHOTO: AFP

Pakistan right-hand batsman Azhar Ali on Friday moved up two places in the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Test batsmen’s rankings even after his team faced a 106-run defeat against West Indies on Thursday.

Pakistan, set a target of 188 runs to win the second Test and seal the three-match series, were unable to fathom the bounce of the day five pitch at Barbados and were all out for 81 courtesy three ducks by Babar Azam, captain Misbahul Haq and Asad Shafiq.

‘Responsible’ Misbah, Azhar earn Sallu’s praise

However, Azhar Ali’s 105-run knock in the first innings and 10 in the second innings helped him move to the eighth position to share the spot with South African batting star Hashim Amla, with both on 748 rating points.

Misbah, who was playing his penultimate Test before retirement, scored 99 and a duck to retain his 20^th position in the rankings, while returning opener Ahmad Shahzad moved up four places to the 62^nd position with scores of 70 and 14.

Yasir’s gains

Leg-spinner Yasir Shah bagged nine wickets for Pakistan in the second Test with a seven-for in the second innings to lift himself to the 13^th position in ICC Test bowler’s rankings.

Yasir six-for hands Pakistan advantage

He gave 94 runs in the second innings for his seven wickets to bag the second best figures by a Pakistan bowler against West Indies after former captain Imran Khan 7-80 in 1988.

Team rankings

Pakistan were placed on the fifth position with 97 points in the ICC Test team rankings before the three-match series against West Indies started. But now, with the series levelled at 1-1, Pakistan (now 96) have to win the last match of the series to retain their fifth position.

Need to do more: Basit Ali unconvinced by Pakistan

In case of a loss in the third and last match at Roseau, Pakistan will drop to the sixth position losing four more points and ending up on 92. However, a 2-1 series win will assure that they recover to 97 points.

In case of a series draw, Pakistan will still drop down to the sixth position with 94 points.

COMMENTS (2)

Karachi cricketer | 7 years ago | Reply Azhar Ali only plays for his own self. He is selfish. He plays very slow. Due to him all other batsmen come under pressure and lose their wicket as said by ramiz Raja. We need players like Shahid afridi and Fawwad Alam.

Saeed Masood | 7 years ago | Reply Useless all this after losing a match which was easy to win.

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