As of the July 29, 2026 update, Pakistan’s top cricketers have made significant strides in the latest ICC Men’s Test Rankings following the conclusion of the first Test against the West Indies.
The individual rankings boost, however, presents a bittersweet reality for the squad. Despite the strong personal performances, the West Indies defeated Pakistan by 90 runs in the series opener, highlighting a stark contrast between individual milestones and collective team success.
Key Takeaways
- Babar Azam moved up four spots to 15th in the Test batting rankings.
- Shan Masood jumped eight places to 36th following a century in the first Test.
- Mohammad Abbas surged nine places to 17th, his first top-20 appearance since 2021.
- Noman Ali remains Pakistan’s highest-ranked Test bowler at the 7th position.
- West Indies won the series opener by 90 runs.
Babar and Masood Make Strides in Batting
The latest update to the ICC Test batting rankings sees Babar Azam climbing four places. He moved from 19th to 15th position, securing 686 rating points.
Shan Masood also enjoyed a notable rise, moving up eight places from 44th to 36th with 590 rating points. This jump was powered by his impressive century during the first Test against the West Indies.
The batting unit’s performance was ultimately a mixed bag for the visitors. While the senior duo made significant gains, the update was less kind to Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel, both of whom saw their rankings slip following the low-scoring second innings in the Caribbean.
- Saud Shakeel dropped three places to 24th
- Mohammad Rizwan fell eight places to 26th
- Salman Ali Agha dropped four places to 32nd
Mohammad Abbas Returns to the Elite Top 20
On the bowling front, Mohammad Abbas delivered a standout performance that reflected heavily in the latest standings. The seamer rose nine places, jumping from 26th to 17th in the ICC Test bowling rankings with 690 rating points. This surge was primarily driven by his clinical match haul of eight wickets for 85 runs, which kept Pakistan in the hunt during the opening Test.
This marks a significant milestone for Abbas. It is his first appearance in the top 20 of the ICC Men’s Test bowling rankings since late 2021.
Noman Ali Holds Firm as Top Bowler
Amid the changes, Noman Ali provided stability in the bowling narrative. He successfully retained his 7th position in the ICC Test bowling rankings.
Holding steady with 809 points, he remains Pakistan’s highest-ranked Test bowler. He retained this position despite the match in the Caribbean being entirely dominated by pace; fast bowlers took all 40 wickets in the Test, meaning the spin attack had no statistical impact on the outcome.
Global Standings: The View From the Top
Looking at the broader global picture puts these movements into perspective. As of the July 29, 2026 update, Travis Head currently leads the ICC Test batting rankings, firmly holding the number one spot. He is followed closely by Harry Brook and Joe Root in the top three positions.
In the bowling department, Jasprit Bumrah occupies the top spot. The leading trio in the ICC Test bowling rankings is completed by Matt Henry and Mitchell Starc.
What Happens Next for Pakistan
The contrast between rising on the individual leaderboards and a 90-run defeat leaves the squad with clear objectives. The challenge now is to translate these strong personal performances into a cohesive victory.
As the series against the West Indies progresses, Pakistan must align their individual form with a winning collective strategy to bounce back in the remaining matches.
FAQs
1. Where is Babar Azam ranked in Test cricket now?
Babar Azam is currently ranked 15th in the ICC Test batting rankings.
2. Who is Pakistan’s highest-ranked Test bowler?
Noman Ali is Pakistan’s highest-ranked Test bowler, sitting at the 7th position.
3. How many places did Mohammad Abbas climb?
Mohammad Abbas climbed nine places to reach the 17th spot in the bowling rankings.
4. What was the result of the first Test against West Indies?
The West Indies defeated Pakistan by 90 runs in the first Test match.
5. Who is currently the number one ranked Test batsman?
Travis Head is currently the number one ranked batsman in the ICC Test batting rankings.
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