ICC rankings: Saud Shakeel, Noman Ali break into top ten

WEB DESK The International Cricket Council (ICC) has just released its latest Test rankings, and England’s Joe Root has successfully held onto his position as the world’s number one Test batter.

But the big news for Pakistan comes with two of their stars breaking into the top 10 of the rankings after impressive performances against the West Indies. Batter Saud Shakeel and bowler Noman Ali have both made notable leaps in the newly updated ICC Men’s Test Rankings.

Shakeel and Ali played pivotal roles in Pakistan’s commanding 127-run victory over the West Indies, giving them a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series. Shakeel, who scored 84 runs in the first innings, has climbed three spots to 8th in the batting rankings, now sitting on 753 rating points. He has moved ahead of Australia’s Steve Smith (746, 9th) and India’s Rishabh Pant (739, 10th).

At the top, England’s Joe Root (895) and Harry Brook (876) remain in the top two positions, with New Zealand’s Kane Williamson (867) in third.

In the bowling rankings, India’s Jasprit Bumrah continues to reign supreme as the number one bowler with a career-high 908 rating points. Australia’s Pat Cummins (841) and South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada (837) round out the top three.

Noman Ali, with a remarkable six-wicket haul in the first Test, has also risen in the rankings, breaking into the top 10 with 761 rating points.

Other noteworthy moves include Pakistan’s Sajid Khan, who jumped 18 places to 23rd after a standout performance in the first Test. West Indies’ Jomel Warrican, who claimed a 10-wicket haul in the same match, made a massive leap, moving up 12 spots to 41st.

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