New ICC rankings bring surprise changes for Babar Azam and Rizwan
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has released its latest player rankings. The updated list has led to important changes in both batting and bowling standings across formats.
England’s Joe Root has regained the No. 1 position among Test batters. His teammate Harry Brook slipped one place to second, while Australia’s Travis Head remained third in the rankings.
The latest update highlights the intense competition among the world’s leading Test batters. Small differences in performance continue to cause frequent changes at the top.
Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam have both dropped one place in the Test batting rankings. Rizwan is now ranked 19th, while Babar has moved down to 20th position.
The decline may concern Pakistani fans who are eager to see both players return to higher spots. However, strong performances in upcoming matches could quickly improve their rankings.
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New Zealand fast bowler Matt Henry has become the top-ranked Test bowler in the world. India’s Jasprit Bumrah is second, while Australia’s Mitchell Starc occupies third place.
The bowling rankings also witnessed notable movement as players continued to gain points through recent performances. Competition among leading bowlers remains extremely close.
New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell has successfully retained the No. 1 position in the ODI batting rankings. India’s Shubman Gill jumped three places to secure second spot, while Virat Kohli slipped one position to third.
The latest ODI rankings show how quickly standings can change after a few strong performances. Several top batters remain separated by only a small number of rating points.
Despite his drop in the Test rankings, Babar Azam has maintained his sixth position among ODI batters. No other Pakistani batter currently features in the top 10 ODI batting rankings.
Babar’s consistency in the 50-over format continues to keep him among the world’s leading players. His ranking reflects his strong record in ODI cricket over recent years.
Afghanistan star Rashid Khan has retained the No. 1 position in the ODI bowling rankings. Pakistan’s Abrar Ahmed is ranked second, while ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi holds ninth place.
The presence of two Pakistani bowlers among the leading names highlights the country’s strength in bowling. Their performances continue to keep Pakistan competitive on the international stage.
The new ICC rankings show that competition at the highest level of cricket is becoming tougher. Even small changes in form are having a big impact on player positions.
Babar Azam’s fall in Test rankings may attract attention, but his strong ODI ranking remains a positive sign. Pakistan’s bowlers continue to perform well and remain among the world’s best.
