Saud Shakeel, Noman Ali enter top ten in ICC Test Rankings

DUBAI: Pakistan batter Saud Shakeel and spinner Noman Ali earned rewards for their performances in the recently concluded Test series against England as they entered the top ten in the latest update of the ICC Test Rankings on Wednesday.

Pakistan’s decision to make four massive changes after the first Test thrashing paid off as their spin duo of Sajid Khan and Noman Ali, coming in as Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah’s replacement, gave a new life to the struggling hosts.

The spin duo claimed 39 out of 40 England wickets to fall in the remaining two Tests, coupled with handy and timely cameos to further traumatize the touring side. Their mastery of spin steered Pakistan to their first home Test series victory since 2021.

Noman took 20 wickets in two Tests, which earned him an eight-spot jump to his career-best ninth position in the ICC Test Bowling Rankings with 759 rating points.

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Meanwhile, Sajid, who took 19 wickets, also claimed his career-best 38th place after a big leap of 12 spots in the bowling rankings.

On the other hand, Pakistan’s vice-captain Saud Shakeel scored a gutsy 134 in the third Test against England, which helped him jump a massive 20 spots to claim seventh rank in the ICC Test Batting Rankings.

Saud is now Pakistan’s highest-ranked batter in the ICC Test Rankings with 724 points. Meanwhile, Babar Azam gained one spot to 18th with 670 points.

Pakistan’s newly-appointed white-ball captain Mohammad Rizwan and vice-captain Salman Ali Agha dropped one and six places to 22 and 21 respectively in ICC Test Batting Rankings.

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