Babar Azam 5th in new ICC Test rankings

Pakistan’s batting icon Babar Azam has moved two places from number seven to number five in the latest International Cricket Council (ICC) Test batting rankings, following a classy 143-run knock against Bangladesh in first Test at Rawalpindi which Pakistan won by a big margin.

The world number one Twenty20 batsman struck 18 boundaries and a six in his mammoth knock to help Pakistan take 1-0 lead against the visitors.

Indian skipper Virat Kohli, whose team currently facing tough time from New Zealand in one-day series, retained his top spot in the rankings with 928 rating points, which keeps him 17 points ahead of Australia's Steve Smith.

Australia's Marnus Labuschagne is at the third spot while New Zealand Captain Kane Williamson is at the fourth position.

Babar, who jumped two spots to achieve his career-best ranking of five, replacing Australia's David Warner and Cheteshwar Pujara from India.

In the ICC World Test Championship, India are at the top of the table with 360 points from three series — against the West Indies, South Africa and Bangladesh, who are all yet to secure any points. Australia are in the second place with 296 points after winning three-Test series against New Zealand.

England sit at the third spot with 146 point while Pakistan are at fourth position after bagging 140 points so far.