Babar Azam has reignited excitement among Pakistan fans ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025 with his stellar form. The star batter silenced critics by showcasing exceptional skill during the recent Test series against South Africa. His performances propelled him up ICC’s latest Test batting rankings, where he now holds the 12th spot. England’s Joe Root leads the chart, followed by Harry Brook in second place.
Babar surpassed prominent names like Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne and Sri Lanka’s Dinesh Chandimal to secure his new ranking. Meanwhile, Saud Shakeel, another Pakistani batter, holds the 11th position, just ahead of Babar. Shakeel’s slight dip in points coincided with Babar’s rise, marking a strong Pakistani presence in the top 15 rankings. Mohammad Rizwan also climbed two spots, while Salman Agha and Shan Masood made notable advances, reaching 22nd and 45th positions, respectively.
Babar’s recent performances make him a key player for Pakistan in the Champions Trophy. He was instrumental in the second Test against South Africa, scoring a vital 81 and forming a record-breaking partnership with Shan Masood. His consistency in ODIs also grabbed attention, with scores of 23, 73, and 52 in a clean sweep series victory over South Africa.
With an impressive ODI career strike rate of 88.21 and an average of 56.73, Babar remains indispensable for Pakistan’s success in upcoming tournaments. His resurgence in form bolsters Pakistan’s hopes as they prepare to host the prestigious Champions Trophy.
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