Saud Shakeel
Pakistani Test cricketer Saud Shakeel has achieved a major career milestone by entering the top 10 of the ICC Men’s Test Batting Rankings for the first time.
As of Wednesday, the left-handed batter jumped 20 places to secure the seventh position in the latest rankings, thanks to his consistent performances during Pakistan’s recent Test series against England.
Shakeel’s ascent in the rankings is attributed to his exceptional showing in the third Test of the series, where Pakistan secured a memorable 2-1 victory over England.
In that crucial match, Shakeel’s performance on a spinner-friendly pitch helped Pakistan establish a commanding first-innings lead of 77 runs, laying the foundation for their series triumph.
With a career-best rating of 728 points, achieved during a Test match against Australia in Melbourne in 2023, Shakeel has continued to impress on the international stage. His current rating of 724 highlights his steady rise in Test cricket, establishing him as one of Pakistan’s key players in the longer format.
At the top of the ICC Test Batting Rankings, England’s Joe Root holds the number one spot, followed by New Zealand’s Kane Williamson in second.
India’s Yashasvi Jaiswal, England’s Harry Brook, and Australia’s Steven Smith and Usman Khawaja occupy the next positions ahead of Shakeel.
Completing the top 10 are Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne, Sri Lanka’s Kamindu Mendis, and New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra, who climbed eight spots to break into the top tier.
In addition to Shakeel’s achievement, Pakistan’s Test bowler Noman Ali has also made notable strides, rising eight places to reach ninth in the ICC Test Bowler Rankings.
On the other hand, Pakistan’s pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi slipped from 14th to 15th place. The rankings for bowlers are currently led by South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada, who moved up three places to take the top spot, followed by Australia’s Pat Cummins and India’s Jasprit Bumrah.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s all-format captain Babar Azam improved his standing in the Test rankings, climbing to 18th. However, Indian batting legend Virat Kohli experienced a drop, falling to 14th in the latest update.
Shakeel’s entry into the elite top 10 is a reflection of his growing influence and importance in Pakistan’s Test lineup, and he is expected to be a crucial player for the team in future series.
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