In a recent update to the ICC Test rankings, Pakistan’s cricket landscape has seen notable shifts, with former captain Babar Azam and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan experiencing sharp declines.
Babar Azam, previously ranked 15th, has dropped to 19th with 677 rating points. His recent performances in the ongoing Test series have been below expectations, contributing to this fall in rankings. Known for his brilliance across formats, Babar has struggled to maintain his usual form in Tests, which has negatively impacted his position.
Similarly, Mohammad Rizwan, another key figure in Pakistan’s Test setup, has seen his ranking slip. He has dropped two spots to 21st with 669 rating points. Once considered among the top Test batters, Rizwan has faced a lean patch in recent matches, leading to his decline in the rankings.
Other Pakistani batters, Saud Shakeel and Abdullah Shafique, have also faced a dip in their rankings. Shakeel, who has shown promise early in his Test career, has dropped seven places to 27th with 642 rating points. Shafique, still adjusting to the demands of Test cricket, has slipped to 43rd with 548 points.
On the bowling front, Pakistan’s ace pacer Shaheen Afridi has maintained his 14th spot with 674 points. However, the spinners have made significant gains. Noman Ali, whose crucial spells helped Pakistan win the second Test against England, has risen to 17th with 677 rating points. Sajid Khan also made a big leap, climbing 22 places to 50th with 387 points, marking his steady progress as a key spinner in Pakistan’s Test setup.
These changes reflect the shifting dynamics of Pakistan’s cricket team as they navigate the challenges of international Test cricket.
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