Pakistan captain Babar Azam has dropped one place in the Test rankings for batters after the latest update issued by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Azam, who is the only Pakistan player in the top 10, is now in fifth place with 862 rating points.
Australia batters are in the top three places in the rankings with Steve Smith, second, and Travis Head, third, joining top-ranked Marnus Labuschagne, after their tons in the ICC World Test Championship Final against India at The Oval.
Labuschagne has 903 rating points, with Smith on 885. Head has 884 points and is being closely followed by New Zealand’s Kane Williamson with 883.
“Batters from the same side taking the top three places is a rare occurrence. The last time this occurred in the Test batting rankings was in 1984, when West Indies players Gordon Greenidge (810 rating points), Clive Lloyd (787) and Larry Gomes (773) were at the top of the list,” the ICC said in a press release.
“There are also some other significant movements for Australia after their 209-run victory over India.
“Alex Carey has progressed 11 places to 36th after scoring 48 and 66 not out while Nathan Lyon (up two places to sixth) and Scott Boland (up five places to 36th) have also moved up after finishing with five wickets each in the match.
“India batter Ajinkya Rahane’s scores of 89 and 46 see him return to the rankings in 37th position while Shardul Thakur has moved up six places to 94th after his half-century in the first innings.”
- Babar Azam