Babar Azam achieves his career-best rank in ICC Test batsmen's rankings

Babar Azam, Pakistan’s prolific run-scorer, has managed to attain his career-best Test ranking. In the latest ICC’s Test rankings for batsmen, the Lahore, Punjab-born has moved three placed up to sixth with 767 points under his belt. The 25-year-old has had an incredible year in the format, having scored 616 runs in six matches at an average of 68.44 with three centuries and as many half-centuries.

Babar has been in excellent form in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship. In four Tests after the 2019 World Cup, Babar has notched 472 runs at an average of 95.50. He was Pakistan’s leading run-scorer in the two-match Test series in Australia which the visitors lost by an innings margin on both instances. There he ended with scores of 104, 1, 8 and 97 at The Gabba and the Adelaide Oval.

After three matches, Pakistan managed to open their account in the Test Championship, beating Sri Lanka by 263 runs at the National Stadium in Karachi. In that game, Babar had scores of 60 and 100*. Even in the opening encounter in Rawalpindi, the Young Turk got an unbeaten 102 to stamp his authority. Babar is the only Pakistan batsman in the top of 10 of ICC’s rankings for batsmen.

Virat Kohli strengthens his grip on top spot

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli, the Indian skipper, stayed put on his top spot in the rankings. Over the last few months, the Delhi-born has been in a tussle for the number one position along with Steve Smith, whose average is only second best to Don Bradman. Virat had a decent outing in the Test series against South Africa and Bangladesh where he managed a few decent knocks under his belt.

On the other hand, Smith couldn’t carry his form from the 2019 Ashes to the series versus Pakistan. The Australian batter is 17 rating points behind Virat and has a lot of catching up to do. Marnus Labuschagne has also come up the ranks ever since the Lord’s Test against England earlier this year. Apart from Virat, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane are the two Indians featuring in the top 10.

Here is latest rankings for batsmen

Babar Azam achieves his career-highest rating to rise to No.6 on the @MRFWorldwide ICC Test Rankings for batting!

Updated rankings: https://t.co/UQn9xI4e8K pic.twitter.com/XFRahIlKOd

— ICC (@ICC) December 24, 2019