Azhar moves up in ICC rankings; Yasir, Pakistan retain positions

Right-handed batsman moves up one spot to seventh

Right-handed batsman Azhar Ali moved one place up to the seventh position in the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Test batsmen’s rankings after Pakistan beat West Indies on Saturday to claim a historic series win in West Indies.

Pakistan had never beaten West Indies in the Caribbean in a Test series but retired captain Misbahul Haq, as he has done throughout his career at the helm, led the side to a 2-1 victory in the three-match series.

Azhar, who moved to the shared eighth position after a century in the second Test at Barbados, scored 127 and three in the third outing to move clear of South Africa right-handed batsman Hashim Amla and Australia left-handed opener David Warner — both of them dropped down one position due to 32-year-old’s ascension.

Azhar’s achieved his career-best sixth ranking in December last year and will vying to improve that record after the 2017 Champions Trophy.

Yasir, Pakistan retain positions

Pakistan leg-spinner Yasir Shah, after another five-for in the fourth innings of the third match against West Indies, was able to retain his 13th position in the ICC Test bowler’s rankings.

Meanwhile, Pakistan, who were on 97 points before the start of the third Test against the Windies, had to win the series to retain their fifth position on the table and not switch the spot with sixth-placed New Zealand — something they were successful in doing.

Other changes in rankings

Newly-inducted right-arm pacer Mohammad Abbas continued his quick ascent in the Test bowler’s rankings as he moved 17 spots to land on the 44^th position.

Right-arm pacer Hasan Ali, who made his Test debut in the third match against the Windies, entered the rankings on the 96^th position after bagging three wickets in two innings.

Meanwhile, Pakistan middle-order right-handed batsman Babar Azam moved eight places up to the 98^th position in Tests.