Misbah, Hafeez attain career-best rankings

Good show helps players improve in ICC standings.

Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq achieved his career-best ranking, moving up five places to 17th in the International Cricket Council Test rankings for batsmen, while Mohammad Hafeez’s fine show in the one-off Test against Zimbabwe also saw him improving in the rankings for batsmen, bowlers and all-rounders.

Hafeez, who was adjudged man of the match for his all-round show in the match, moved up 23 places to the 65th position in the batting table. He also achieved his career-best ranking of 55th and 26th in the bowlers and all-rounders’ categories respectively after hitting a century and taking a four-wicket haul against the Zimbabweans.

Younus Khan remains the top-ranked Pakistani batsman at number 15, while Azhar Ali and Umar Akmal are also among the top 50 in the world.

Ajmal, Cheema reach personal landmarks


Off-spinner Saeed Ajmal climbed four places to a career-best 23rd position, while fast-bowler Aizaz Cheema entered the bowlers’ ranking in 50th position after recording match figures of 8 for 103 on his debut against Zimbabwe.

South Africa’s Jacques Kallis continues to top the rankings for batsmen, as well as for all-rounders. England duo of Ian Bell and Alastair Cook share the second spot among the batsmen. India maesto Sachin Tendulkar is placed fourth, while Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara dropped three places to the fifth position.

Meanwhile, Dale Steyn continues his rule atop the bowlers’ rankings, with England duo of fast-bowler James Anderson and off-spinner Graeme Swann at the number two and three positions respectively. South Africa’s Morne Morkel is fourth while Stuart Broad completes the top five in the bowlers’ rankings.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 7th,  2011.
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