Cricket

Babar Azam reenters ICC Test top 10 rankings as Shan Masood resumes training for the upcoming series against England.

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Aug 12, 2026, 15:37 IST

Pakistan's triumphant tour of the Caribbean has notably improved the ICC Men's Test Player Rankings, highlighted by captain Babar Azam's return.

Babar Azam reenters ICC Test top 10 rankings as Shan Masood resumes training for the upcoming series against England.

Pakistan's recent triumph in the Caribbean has significantly impacted the ICC Men's Test Player Rankings, with captain Babar Azam making a notable return to the top 10. This resurgence follows Pakistan's impressive eight-wicket victory over the West Indies in Port of Spain, which allowed them to level the two-match World Test Championship series at 1-1. Babar played a pivotal role in this win, scoring 88 runs in the first innings and remaining unbeaten on 24 during the successful chase.

As a result of this performance, Babar has climbed five spots to secure the No. 10 position in the Test batting rankings, marking his first return to the elite top 10 since September 2024. Prior to this, he had maintained a presence in the top 10 for five consecutive years, reaching a career-high ranking of No. 2 in December 2022. His resurgence is a timely boost for the team as they prepare for their upcoming Test series against England.

Rising Stars in the Rankings

Alongside Babar, other Pakistani players have also seen improvements in their rankings following the successful Caribbean campaign. Abdullah Shafique and Sajid Khan have made significant strides, reflecting the overall positive performance of the team. Currently, Australia's Travis Head holds the top position in the Test batting rankings, while India's Jasprit Bumrah remains the leading bowler. Additionally, Ravindra Jadeja continues to dominate the Test all-rounders' rankings.

Shan Masood's Return to Training

In another positive development for Pakistan, experienced batter Shan Masood has returned to training with the squad in Beckenham. Masood had been sidelined due to a finger injury sustained during the first Test against the West Indies, which forced him to miss the second match. His return to training raises hopes that he will be fit for the opening Test against England, scheduled to begin on August 19 in Leeds. This comeback is particularly encouraging for the team, which recently achieved its first away Test victory in three years.

Latest News

End of Article