Babar Azam, Abbas rise in ICC Test rankings after West Indies defeat

Pakistan captain Babar Azam and experienced pacer Mohammad Abbas have moved up in the latest ICC Test rankings.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam and experienced pacer Mohammad Abbas have moved up in the latest ICC Test rankings.

The rankings were updated after the first Test between Pakistan and the West Indies.

Pakistan lost the match by 90 runs at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad. The defeat gave the West Indies a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

Despite the loss, several Pakistani players made progress in the individual rankings.

Mohammad Abbas was Pakistan’s biggest mover among the bowlers. The veteran fast bowler delivered an impressive performance in the Test.

Abbas took three wickets in the first innings. He then produced an outstanding spell in the second innings.

The right-arm pacer claimed five wickets for 22 runs. He finished the match with eight wickets in total.

His performance helped him climb nine places in the ICC Test bowling rankings. Abbas is now ranked 17th among Test bowlers.

Left-arm spinner Noman Ali remains Pakistan’s highest-ranked Test bowler. He retained seventh position in the latest rankings.

Shaheen Shah Afridi, however, dropped four places. He is now ranked 29th.

Off-spinner Sajid Khan also slipped one position. He moved down to 35th in the bowling rankings.

Babar Azam also made progress in the Test batting rankings.

The Pakistan captain played an important role during the team’s chase in the second innings. Pakistan needed 211 runs for victory.

Babar remained unbeaten on 58 as Pakistan lost wickets at regular intervals. His fighting innings was one of the few positive moments for the visitors.

The performance lifted Babar four places in the rankings. He is now ranked 15th among Test batters.

Former Pakistan captain Shan Masood also moved up after scoring a century in the first innings.

Masood’s hundred helped him gain eight places. He is now ranked 36th in the ICC Test batting rankings.

However, some Pakistani batters suffered a decline.

Saud Shakeel dropped three places to 24th. Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan also fell eight places and is now ranked 26th.

Salman Ali Agha dropped four positions. He now occupies 32nd place in the latest Test batting standings.

The rankings provide some individual encouragement for Pakistan despite their disappointing result in Trinidad.

The national team will now look to bounce back in the second and final Test against the West Indies.