Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam has returned to the top 10 of the ICC Men’s Test batting rankings following Pakistan’s impressive eight-wicket victory over the West Indies in the second Test at Port of Spain.
The latest ICC rankings update, released on August 12, saw Babar rewarded for his contribution during Pakistan’s successful Test campaign in the Caribbean. His return to the top 10 provides a timely boost as Pakistan prepare for their upcoming Test series against England.
Babar’s rise comes after Pakistan levelled the two-match series against the West Indies 1-1 with a convincing victory. The result also ended Pakistan’s eight-match losing streak in away Tests and marked their first overseas Test win since 2023.
The former Pakistan captain played an important role in the successful chase in Port of Spain, helping his team reach the target of 75 runs without significant difficulty. Abdullah Shafique was the standout performer, scoring an unbeaten 160 in the first innings, while the bowling attack produced a strong second-innings display.
Babar’s improved ranking will be particularly encouraging for Pakistan ahead of their demanding England tour. The three-Test series is scheduled to begin at Headingley in Leeds on August 19, with further Tests at Lord’s and Edgbaston.
Pakistan will hope Babar’s return to the upper reaches of the Test rankings signals the beginning of a strong run of form in red-ball cricket. With important World Test Championship points at stake in England, his batting performance could prove crucial to Pakistan’s ambitions.
The latest rankings update also highlighted gains for several other Pakistan players, underlining the impact of their victory in the Caribbean.
