Babar Azam's Rankings Shift: Test Success, T20 Setback

Cricket is not just a sport in Pakistan; it is a passion that unites millions. The International Cricket Council (ICC) regularly updates player rankings, which reflect the performance of cricketers across formats. Recently, on July 31, 2024, the ICC released its latest rankings for Test and T20 players, revealing significant changes for Pakistan's star batsman, Babar Azam.

In the Test rankings, Babar Azam has made a notable leap, moving up one position to secure the third spot. This is a commendable achievement, especially as he competes against some of the best players in the world. The top position in the Test rankings is now held by England's Joe Root, who has overtaken New Zealand's Kane Williamson, who has dropped to second place. Following Babar, New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell is in fourth place, while Australia's Steve Smith and India's Rohit Sharma have improved their standings to fifth and sixth, respectively.

On the bowling side, Ravichandran Ashwin continues to dominate, holding the top position among Test bowlers. He is followed by Australia's Josh Hazlewood in second and India's Jasprit Bumrah in third. Additionally, Ravindra Jadeja remains the leading all-rounder in Test cricket.

However, the news is not as bright for Babar Azam in the T20 rankings. He has dropped one position to fifth place, while Australia's Travis Head retains the top spot. Suryakumar Yadav is in second place, followed by Phil Salt in third and Yashasvi Jaiswal in fourth. Furthermore, Mohammad Rizwan, another key player for Pakistan, has also slipped one position to sixth place in the T20 rankings.

In the T20 all-rounders' category, Australia's Marcus Stoinis has climbed to first place, with Zimbabwe's Sikandar Raza moving up to second. Shakib Al Hasan from Bangladesh holds the third position, while Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga has dropped two places to fourth.

While Babar Azam's rise in the Test rankings is a positive development, his drop in the T20 rankings serves as a reminder of the competitive nature of international cricket. Fans and analysts alike will be keenly watching how he adapts and performs in upcoming matches. As cricket enthusiasts, it is essential to support our players through their ups and downs, as they continue to represent Pakistan on the global stage.