Saud Shakeel and Noman Ali rise in ICC Test rankings, Babar Azam falls

Two Pakistani players have climbed into the top 10 of the ICC Men’s Test Rankings following their standout performances in the first Test against the West Indies.

Batter Saud Shakeel and spinner Noman Ali were key figures in Pakistan’s 127-run victory in Multan, which gave the hosts a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

Shakeel, who scored 84 runs in the first innings, surged three places in the Test batter rankings to claim the eighth spot with 753 rating points. He overtook Australia’s Steve Smith (746) and India’s Rishabh Pant (739). England’s Joe Root (895) and Harry Brook (876) hold the top two positions, with New Zealand’s Kane Williamson (867) in third.

Meanwhile, Noman Ali’s match-winning performance, which included a six-wicket haul, propelled him into the top 10 bowlers for the first time, with 761 rating points. India’s Jasprit Bumrah continues to lead the bowling rankings with a career-high 908 points, followed by Australia’s Pat Cummins (841) and South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada (837).

Pakistan’s Sajid Khan also enjoyed a significant rise, moving up 18 places to 23rd position with 621 points after a stellar showing in the match.