Babar Azam has made a strong return to the Babar Azam ICC Test Rankings top 10 after an impressive performance in Pakistan’s two-Test series against the West Indies. The Pakistan captain climbed five places in the latest ICC Test batting rankings, moving from 15th to 10th position and once again securing a place among the world’s leading Test batters.
The rise comes after Babar produced a consistent performance during the series, scoring 193 runs across two matches. His contribution earned him the Player of the Series award and helped strengthen his position in the latest rankings.
Babar Azam Makes a Strong Comeback
Babar’s move into 10th place is particularly significant because he had dropped out of the ICC Test batting top 10 in September 2024. Since then, the Pakistan star had struggled to maintain the position he once held among the elite players in Test cricket.
The latest improvement shows signs of a positive turnaround. The Babar Azam ICC Test Rankings position reflects his ability to regain ground through performances rather than reputation alone.
The right-handed batter previously reached a career-best second position in the ICC Test batting rankings during Pakistan’s home series against England in December 2022. His return to the top 10 could provide another boost to his confidence as Pakistan looks to build a stronger Test side.
Abdullah Shafiq Makes Major Ranking Jump
Babar was not the only Pakistani batter to benefit from the West Indies series. Abdullah Shafiq also made a remarkable improvement in the latest rankings.
The opener moved up 25 places to 32nd position after producing a match-winning performance in the second Test. Shafiq was named Player of the Match after scoring an unbeaten 160 in the first innings and adding another unbeaten 24 in the second.
His performance was particularly important for Pakistan and represents one of the biggest individual movements in the latest rankings. The rise also highlights the growing competition among Pakistan’s batting options.
While Babar remains the most prominent name in the Babar Azam ICC Test Rankings, Shafiq’s progress gives Pakistan another reason for optimism ahead of future Test assignments.
Babar Back Among the Best
For several years, Babar has been regarded as one of Pakistan’s most technically gifted batters across all formats. His previous rise to second place in the Test rankings demonstrated his ability to compete with the best players in the world.
However, maintaining a place among the top Test batters requires consistent performances over a long period. His latest jump from 15th to 10th therefore represents more than just a statistical improvement.
The Babar Azam ICC Test Rankings rise also comes at an important stage of his international career. Strong performances in upcoming matches could allow him to challenge for an even higher position.
For Pakistan, having Babar among the top-ranked Test batters can be valuable as the team works to improve its results in the longest format.
Bowlers Also Feature in Rankings
Pakistan also has several players represented in the latest ICC Test bowling rankings. Shaheen Shah Afridi is currently ranked 29th, while spinner Sajid Khan occupies 30th position.
West Indies fast bowler Shamar Joseph is ranked 19th following his performances in the series. The rankings demonstrate the impact of the West Indies’ bowling attack while also highlighting the need for Pakistan’s bowlers to produce consistent performances in future matches.
At the top of the Test batting rankings, Australia’s Travis Head continues to hold first place, while England’s Harry Brook occupies second position. India’s Jasprit Bumrah remains the world’s No. 1 Test bowler, with New Zealand’s Matt Henry ranked second.
Babar’s return to the top 10 is encouraging news for Pakistan cricket. The Babar Azam ICC Test Rankings improvement comes alongside Abdullah Shafiq’s dramatic rise, giving the national team greater confidence in its batting strength.
The challenge now will be to maintain that momentum. Rankings can change quickly, particularly in Test cricket, where a few strong or poor performances can significantly affect a player’s position.
For Babar, the immediate goal will be to continue producing substantial scores and help Pakistan achieve better results. If he can maintain his recent form, another climb in the rankings could be possible.
The latest rankings ultimately provide a positive picture for Pakistan’s batting department. Babar Azam is back among the world’s top 10 Test batters, while Abdullah Shafiq has made one of the biggest jumps in the rankings. Together, their performances could form an important part of Pakistan’s plans for the future of Test cricket.
