The International Cricket Council (ICC) released its latest player rankings on Wednesday, revealing significant changes across formats as players from Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan made notable progress. While England’s Joe Root and India’s Jasprit Bumrah maintained their dominance in Tests, several Pakistani cricketers climbed up the ladder, reflecting the nation’s improving performances on the international stage.
Test Rankings Overview
In the Test format, England’s Joe Root continues to hold the top position among batsmen, reaffirming his status as one of the modern greats. South Africa’s Temba Bavuma climbed one spot to fifth, while Sri Lanka’s Kamindu Mendis advanced to sixth, marking his highest career ranking so far.
For Pakistan, Saud Shakeel remains steady at 12th position, showcasing his remarkable consistency and growing reputation as a reliable Test batsman.
In the bowling department, India’s Jasprit Bumrah reclaimed the No. 1 spot, overtaking rivals to once again lead the Test bowling rankings. Pakistan’s Noman Ali made a significant jump, moving up six places, while India’s Mohammad Siraj climbed three positions to reach 12th place.
Other notable movements include South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj rising to 19th, India’s Kuldeep Yadav leaping seven places to 21st, and Pakistan’s Sajid Khan and Shaheen Afridi improving to 21st and 22nd, respectively — signaling a strengthening of Pakistan’s Test bowling lineup.
T20I Rankings Shake-Up
In the T20 International (T20I) format, India’s Abhishek Sharma retained his crown as the top-ranked batsman, maintaining his stellar form. Australia’s Mitchell Marsh made headlines with a 13-place surge, reaching 10th position after a series of explosive innings.
Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan also continued his rise, climbing one place to 10th, securing his place among the world’s leading T20 performers.
On the bowling front, Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan jumped six places to second, once again showcasing his global dominance. Pakistan’s spin duo made strong impressions — Abrar Ahmed advanced to 7th position, while Sufyan Muqim broke into the top 10, now ranked 10th among T20I bowlers.
Asian Dominance Continues
The updated ICC rankings underscore the growing influence of Asian cricketers across all formats. Players from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan dominate both batting and bowling charts, reaffirming South Asia’s position as the powerhouse of world cricket.
For Pakistan, this ranking update highlights a positive trend — from Saud Shakeel’s stability in Tests to Abrar Ahmed’s emergence in T20s, the nation’s players are showing consistent improvement and adaptability across formats. With several international tours and major tournaments ahead, Pakistan’s momentum suggests promising times for the team and its fans.
