Travis Head Rises in ICC Rankings
The latest ICC Test rankings have seen significant shifts, with Australian Travis Head and Indian Rishabh Pant making notable gains, while Pakistan's cricketers have struggled to maintain their positions, highlighting the need for improvement as they head into their WTC campaign.
Australian batter Travis Head has claimed the 10th spot in the latest ICC Test rankings, while Pakistan's cricketers have slipped in their respective categories, with key players like Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, and Babar Azam dropping in the rankings.
The Pakistani team is currently scheduled to play only white-ball cricket over the next two months, which may contribute to further ranking stagnation or decline. England's veteran batter Joe Root has retained the number one spot in the Test rankings, with fellowman Harry Brook at second spot. Indian batter Rishabh Pant jumped to sixth spot, while no Pakistani batter secured a spot in the top 10 rankings, with Saud Shakeel at 11th and Mohammad Rizwan at 19th.
In the bowling rankings, Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah leads the way, with Pakistan spinner Noman Ali at 5th position. The team will start their ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 campaign with a home series against South Africa in October-November, which will be a crucial opportunity for them to regain their footing in the Test rankings.
The upcoming series against South Africa will be a significant test for the Pakistani team, and they will need to regroup and refocus to improve their rankings and make a strong impression in the WTC 2025-27 campaign. With the likes of Travis Head and Rishabh Pant rising through the ranks, the competition is fierce, and Pakistan will need to bring their A-game to stay competitive.