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Sunday, December 22, 2024  
19 Jumada Al-Akhirah 1446  

Babar Azam moves up in latest ICC Test rankings

Marnus Labuschagne regains top spot
Photo: AFP
Photo: AFP

Following a magnificent ton in the first innings, Pakistan all-format captain Babar Azam has moved up in the latest ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings.

The 28-year-old scored 136 with the help of 19 boundaries and a maximum to help Pakistan reach 579. This innings helped him gain the number three spot in the latest rankings.

Meanwhile, Australia batter Marnus Labuschagne, who had a memorable outing against West Indies, has overtaken England’s Joe Root to grab the top spot for batters in the rankings.

He became only the eighth player to score a double-century and a century in the same Test.

Labuschagne, who was just two points behind Root before the two ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Tests completed over the past week, now enjoys a healthy lead at the top even as Root has slipped to fourth place – behind Steve Smith and Babar Azam.

Labuschagne’s scores of 204 and 104 not out in the first Test against the West Indies in Perth.

Meanwhile, Smith himself has gained two slots after contributing to the win with unbeaten scores of 200 and 20 in the same Test. Smith’s tally of 893 rating points is his highest since January 2021.

Moreover, Pakistan openers Abdullah Shafique (up five places to 15th) and Imam-ul-Haque (up 12 places to 38th) have attained career-best rankings after slamming centuries in the first innings and figuring in a 225-run stand.

Naseem Shah has progressed five places to 54th with five wickets in the match while Zahid Mahmood’s six-wicket haul helps him enter the rankings in 109th position.

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