Former Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam has experienced a significant drop in the latest ICC Test rankings for batsmen, falling six places to land in the ninth position. This dramatic fall comes on the heels of his disappointing performance in the first Test of the two-match series against Bangladesh, where he recorded scores of 0 and 22. For the first time in several years, Babar finds himself outside the top five in all formats, raising concerns among his fans and cricket enthusiasts.
In an unexpected turn of events, Virat Kohli, the former Indian captain who hasn’t played a single Test match since January 2024, has overtaken Babar in the rankings. Kohli now sits at the eighth position with 737 rating points, just three points ahead of Babar. This development is astounding given Kohli’s absence from recent Test cricket and illustrates how Babar’s performance drastically impacted his standings.
The situation could have been even more dire for Babar Azam if Liton Das had managed to hold on to a critical catch in the second innings when Babar was still on a duck. Had that catch been taken, Babar’s failure to score could have pushed him out of the top 10 entirely, creating an even larger setback for the Pakistani star.
As the second Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh approaches, scheduled to be played from August 30 in Rawalpindi, Babar Azam will have a golden opportunity to claw his way back into the top five rankings. The upcoming match presents an essential test for Babar, who must perform exceptionally to regain his lost prestige.
Meanwhile, Mohammad Rizwan of Pakistan delivered an outstanding performance in the same Test match, scoring an unbeaten 171 and a commendable 51. This feat propelled Rizwan seven places up in the rankings, putting him in a tie for the 10th position with Australia’s Usman Khawaja, each boasting 728 rating points. Rizwan’s rise highlights the volatile nature of the rankings and how one remarkable performance can significantly alter a player’s standing.
At the top of the leaderboard, Joe Root of England continues to dominate.
. Root remains the highest-ranked batsman, bolstered by his solid performances against Sri Lanka, where he scored 42 and an unbeaten 62 in the first Test. Root’s 881 rating points place him a comfortable 22 points ahead of New Zealand’s Kane Williamson, who is in second place.
England’s Harry Brook also made noteworthy strides, climbing to the fourth position following his impressive outing against Sri Lanka. Brook’s climb emphasizes the depth of talent in the English batting lineup and poses a challenge for other batsmen vying for top spots.
In an unrelated but intriguing development, the cricket community is abuzz with related stories that provide additional context to the state of international cricket. Questions loom over the future of Jonny Bairstow in the England team, with Chief Selector Luke Wright providing some insights. Furthermore, there were lighter moments off the field, such as Shreyas Iyer imitating Sunil Narine’s bowling action during the Buchi Babu tournament for Mumbai. There’s also ongoing dialogue about Jay Shah’s unopposed election as ICC Chairman, a position underscoring the political dimensions of the sport.
The latest ICC Test rankings serve as a telling reflection of the fluid and often unpredictable nature of international cricket. Babar Azam’s drop demonstrates the fine margins separating the elite players and underscores the relentless pressure they face to maintain their positions. The upcoming Test match offers Babar a chance at redemption—an opportunity his fans eagerly anticipate.
Thus, the world will be closely watching the second Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh. Not only will it be crucial for Babar Azam’s bid to re-enter the top five, but it will also provide further dramatic shifts in the ICC Test rankings, keeping fans and analysts on the edge of their seats. As the cricketing world turns its eye to Rawalpindi, the stakes have never been higher for the players and the sport itself.
