Australia, Pakistan players gain big in latest rankings
Steve Smith, Pat Cummins (Photo by JEREMY NG/AFP via Getty Images)
Australia batter Marnus Labuschagne and Pakistan pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi gained significantly in the latest Test rankings. Labuschagne scored a well-made 74 in the first Ashes Test in Brisbane. The right-hand batter walked in relatively early on the morning of Day 2 and laid a perfect foundation for the middle order by forming a crucial 156-run second-wicket partnership with opener David Warner.
Labuschagne’s good outing with the bat has pushed him to the second spot in the rankings for batters. Travis Head also moved to the 10th spot in the rankings. The southpaw scored 152 in Brisbane to help Australia post a mammoth 425 in the first inning. Head is currently on par with South Africa’s wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock.
Meanwhile, Shaheen Shah Afridi made a significant gain and moved up to third place on account of a decent series against Bangladesh. He has overtaken Josh Hazlewood and Tim Southee who are placed fourth and fifth respectively. India spinner Ravi Ashwin is positioned second, while Australia skipper Pat Cummins occupies the first slot.
Afridi has been in terrific form with the ball in Tests this year. The 21-year-old currently has 822 points. His teammate Hasan Ali too made good progress in the rankings. Ali is currently placed 10th and has 760 points. Like Afridi, the right-arm pacer has also had a good year in Tests. He has so far taken 39 wickets this year and has formed a lethal combination with Afridi.
