ICC Test rankings: Babar Azam rises five spots, Saud Shakeel suffers major drop
SA's Rickelton's stunning double century boosts him 48 places to No 55 with captain Bavuma rising three spots to No 6.
News Desk |
January 09, 2025
The past week in Test cricket was packed with action, as three significant series concluded: India vs. Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, South Africa’s clash against Pakistan, and Zimbabwe’s tussle with Afghanistan.
These series not only produced thrilling cricket but also led to substantial changes in the ICC player rankings.
In the second Test between South Africa and Pakistan, which proved to be a high-scoring affair, several players saw significant rankings shifts.
Ryan Rickelton was named Player of the Match for his incredible double century (259), propelling him 48 places up to No. 55 in the batting rankings.
South African captain Temba Bavuma continued his strong form, scoring a crucial century in the first innings, climbing three spots to No. 6 and achieving a career-best rating of 769. Meanwhile, Kyle Verreynne also impressed with a century, moving up four spots to No. 25.
Pakistan struggled in the first innings, posting just 194 in response to South Africa's massive 615, but they showed resilience in the second innings.
Babar Azam's half-centuries in both innings saw him rise five places to No. 12, while Shan Masood’s valiant 145 in the second innings earned him a 12-place rise to No. 45.
However, a disappointing performance from Saud Shakeel saw him drop five places to No. 11 in the rankings, marking the biggest decline in the top 20.
In the bowling rankings, South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada claimed six wickets in the match, moving up one spot to No. 3, now trailing only Pat Cummins and Jasprit Bumrah.
In the all-rounder rankings, Marco Jansen made significant strides, rising two places to No. 2 after a solid performance in the final Test, which included a brisk half-century and three wickets.
Australia's Scott Boland was another standout performer, making a remarkable leap of 29 places to break into the top 10.
Boland’s stellar performance in the Sydney Test, which included a 10-wicket haul (4/31 and 6/45), was crucial in Australia’s victory, ending a decade-long wait to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Australia’s captain, Pat Cummins, also climbed in the rankings, rising to No. 2 after taking five wickets in the final Test. He is now closing in on No. 1 ranked Bumrah, who remains at the top despite missing the second innings due to a back spasm.
Bumrah had already made history by recording the highest-ever ICC Rankings rating for an Indian bowler, with 907 points, improving his tally by one point after taking two wickets in the first innings.
In a low-scoring fifth Test, Rishabh Pant’s explosive 33-ball 61 in the second innings was one of the standout performances. His knock earned him a three-spot rise in the batting rankings, moving him up to No. 9.
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