Saud Shakeel shines as Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan slip in new ICC Test rankings

The latest ICC Test batting and bowling rankings, released on Wednesday, reflected a significant reshuffling of positions for Pakistani cricketers following their two-wicket defeat to South Africa in the first Test of the ongoing series.

Saud Shakeel emerged as a standout performer for Pakistan, showcasing grit against South Africa's fearsome pace attack. 

Although he fell cheaply in the first innings, managing just 14 runs off six balls, Shakeel bounced back with a determined 84 in the second innings. This performance earned him a three-place jump in the ICC Test batting rankings, placing him at the sixth position with 764 points—a career-best achievement.

Former captain Babar Azam, despite breaking his half-century drought with a vital 50 off 85 balls in the second innings, dropped two places to the 17th spot with 669 rating points. His first-innings dismissal for just four runs compounded his decline in the rankings, reflecting the ongoing challenges he faces in maintaining consistency.

Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan’s form in Test cricket remained below expectations. Scoring only 30 runs across both innings of the match, he slipped two places to the 21st spot in the ICC Test Batting Rankings, emphasizing the need for improved contributions in the second Test.

In the ICC Test bowling rankings, spinner Noman Ali and pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi—who missed the first Test—each dropped one place, now sitting at ninth and eighteenth, respectively. 

However, Naseem Shah delivered an impactful performance, taking four wickets across two innings. His efforts earned him a six-place rise to 33rd position, showcasing his growing prominence in Pakistan's bowling attack.