Islamabad, October 30, 2024 – The Europe Today: After Pakistan’s thrilling victory over England in the recently concluded Test series, players Saud Shakeel and Noman Ali have broken into the ICC Men’s Test Batting and Bowling rankings, marking a milestone for Pakistan’s cricket.
Saud Shakeel, 29, has made a historic leap into the top 10 Test batters, securing the seventh position after an impressive series on home ground. This achievement saw him rise 20 spots in the ICC’s official ranking, thanks to his pivotal role in Pakistan’s 2-1 series victory. Shakeel’s highest career rating stands at 724, with a personal best of 728 achieved against Australia in Melbourne last year.
On the bowling front, 38-year-old Noman Ali climbed eight places to secure the ninth spot among Test bowlers. Noman’s consistent performances on spin-friendly pitches proved instrumental in the series win, where Pakistan gained a substantial first-innings lead of 77 runs.
Globally, England’s Joe Root remains the top-ranked batter, with New Zealand’s Kane Williamson and India’s Yashasvi Jaiswal following closely. Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne and Sri Lanka’s Kamindu Mendis also feature in the top 10. Among bowlers, South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada leads the rankings, with India’s Jasprit Bumrah in third.
The recent ICC rankings also saw Babar Azam rise to 18th among batters, while Shaheen Shah Afridi slipped to 15th in the bowling ranks. This success marks a significant achievement for Pakistan’s Test squad, showcasing individual talent and solidifying the team’s presence in the ICC Test rankings.
