Saud Shakeel and Noman Ali Break into ICC Top 10 Test Rankings
Pakistani cricketers Saud Shakeel and Noman Ali have both made significant leaps in the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Test rankings following their standout performances in Pakistan’s recent victory over the West Indies in Multan.
Shakeel, the Pakistan batter, moved up three spots to 8th in the ICC Men’s Test Batting Rankings, while Noman Ali, the left-arm spinner, broke into the top 10, securing the 9th position in the Bowler’s Rankings. Their efforts were pivotal in Pakistan’s dominant 127-run win in the first Test of the series.
Key Performances:
- Saud Shakeel played a crucial knock of 84 runs in Pakistan’s first innings, helping the team reach 230 runs before being dismissed. Shakeel’s performance earned him a rise of three spots in the batting rankings, moving to 8th place, ahead of Steve Smith (9th) and Rishabh Pant (10th).
- Noman Ali was instrumental with the ball, taking 6 wickets in the match, including a five-wicket haul in the West Indies’ first innings. His bowling performance helped Pakistan dismiss the visitors cheaply and control the match. Ali’s efforts earned him 761 rating points, moving him up to 9th in the Test Bowler Rankings.
Ranking Overview:
- Saud Shakeel now sits at 8th in the ICC Men’s Test Batting Rankings with 753 rating points, above Steve Smith (746) and Rishabh Pant (739).
- Noman Ali has 761 rating points, placing him 9th in the ICC Test Bowler Rankings.
At the top of the Test bowler rankings are Jasprit Bumrah (India) with 908 points and Pat Cummins (Australia) with 841 points.
Other Notable Rankings:
Pakistan’s Sajid Khan, another key performer in the series, made an impressive rise, climbing 18 spots to 23rd in the Test Bowler Rankings with 621 points.
Looking Ahead:
Pakistan leads the two-match Test series 1-0 and will face the West Indies in the second Test on January 25, 2025, in Multan. Pakistan’s spinners, including Sajid Khan and Noman Ali, are expected to play a crucial role on the spin-friendly pitches.
Following a 2-1 series win over England at home, Pakistan will look to extend their lead in the series and further improve their standing in the World Test Championship. However, after a recent 2-0 loss to South Africa in an away series, Pakistan will be aiming to regain their form in front of home fans.