12 August, 2026(Nosheen): Pakistan captain Babar Azam has returned to the top 10 of the ICC Test batting rankings after nearly two years, making a significant jump in the latest rankings.Babar climbed five places to secure the 10th position, while fellow Pakistan batter Abdullah Shafique made an even bigger leap, rising 25 places to 32nd.Australia’s Travis Head retained the top spot in the Test batting rankings, followed by England’s Harry Brook in second and Joe Root in third.

Among other Pakistani batters, Saud Shakeel slipped two places to 26th, while wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan dropped one place to 27th. Former Test captain Shan Masood fell three places to 39th, while Salman Ali Agha dropped six places to 38th.In the Test bowling rankings, India’s Jasprit Bumrah retained the number-one position, with New Zealand’s Matt Henry ranked second and Australia’s Mitchell Starc third.

Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi is ranked 28th, while Sajid Khan climbed five places to 30th. Khurram Shahzad also moved up one spot to 51st.India’s Ravindra Jadeja retained the top position among Test all-rounders.The improved rankings for Pakistan’s batters come after their performances in the recent Test series against the West Indies, with Babar Azam and Abdullah Shafique making notable gains in the latest ICC rankings.