ICC Test rankings: Anderson joins Yasir at number two

Hafeez jumps to career-best 24th spot in batting chart after Sharjah outing


Press Release November 06, 2015
James Anderson (C) celebrates with teammates in the Gulf Emirate of Sharjah on November 4, 2015. PHOTO: AFP

DUBAI: England’s James Anderson and Mohammad Hafeez of Pakistan are the biggest movers in the latest ICC Test Player Rankings, which were released on Friday following the conclusion of the Sharjah Test.

Anderson returned figures of 4-17 and 2-52 for which he has earned 22 points, which, in turn, has put him alongside player of the series, Yasir Shah, in second place. The two bowlers are now on equal points on 846 — 59 points behind South Africa’s number-one ranked Dale Steyn.

Pakistan’s left-arm fast-bowler Rahat Ali has also gained five places and is now on a career-high 36th position after contributing three wickets in Pakistan’s 127-run victory.

Hafeez bags career best Test ranking after Sharjah heroics

In the ICC Player Rankings for Test Batsmen, Australia captain Steve Smith has regained the number-one ranking and AB de Villiers of South Africa has moved into second position as Joe Root dropped two places to third after conceding 27 points.

Apart from Root, Younus Khan has slipped one place to sixth, Asad Shafiq has dropped one place to 12th, Azhar Ali has lost three places to 20th and Ian Bell has fallen one place to 31st.

However, Hafeez has reason to be cheerful as his contributions of 27 and 151 helped him vault four places to a career-best 24th position. He was also adjudged the best player of the Sharjah Test.

3rd Test: Malik's double helps Pakistan hold stronger fort against England

Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik has hung up his boots occupying the 67th batting and 44th bowling spots. Shoaib lost 15 places in the batting chart after scores of 38 and 0, but gained 57 places in the bowling rankings after recording match figures of 24.5-7-59-7.

Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq is 10th in the batting chart and has steered his side second position in the ICC Test Championship.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 7th, 2015.

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COMMENTS (1)

Me | 8 years ago | Reply How could ICC bear Yasir at no 2 so that Got in Anderson as well...Make English fan happy
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