Abbas rockets up to third in Test rankings

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Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Abbas has taken only 10 Tests to reach third place in the ICC player rankings for Test bowlers after a stupendous 10-wicket match haul in Abu Dhabi helped his side defeat Australia by 373 runs.

The 28-year-old has gained 11 slots to reach the top three and has also crossed 800 rating points, matching compatriot Yasir Shah and South Africa allrounder Vernon Philander who also reached that threshold in 10 Tests.

Three players who reached the 800-point mark in fewer Tests did so in the 19th century – England’s Tom Richardson (eight) matches in 1896, Australia’s Charlie Turner (nine) in 1892 and John Ferris (nine) in 1892, who turned out for both England and Australia.

Abbas, who started the series in 21st position, is the 10th Pakistan bowler to reach 800 rating points.

Apart from Abbas and Yasir, the others to breach the 800-point barrier from Pakistan are Fazal Mahmood (16 Tests), Imran Khan and Wasim Akram (both 37), Waqar Younis (12), Mushtaq Ahmed (25), Shoaib Akhtar (29), Mohammad Asif and Saeed Ajmal (both 19).

Pakistan off-spinner Bilal Asif is another bowler to gain in the latest update, advancing 17 slots to 52nd position, while Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed has gained 17 slots among batsmen after his knocks of 94 and 81 in the second Test.

Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman has entered the rankings in 68th position after scores of 94 and 66 on debut while Babar Azam (up nine places to a career-best 76th), Australia’s Aaron Finch (up 15 places to 59th), Mitchell Starc (up seven places to 89th) and Travis Head (up five places to 97th) are the others to advance among batsmen.

Test player rankings

BOWLERS (top 10)

Rank ( /-) Player Team Points Avge Highest Rating
1 ( – ) James Anderson Eng 899 26.84 903 v Ind at Lord’s 2018
2 ( – ) Kagiso Rabada SA 882 21.71 902 v Aus at Port Elizabeth 2018
3 ( 11) M. Abbas Pak 829*! 15.64 829 v Aus at Abu Dhabi 2018
4 (-1) Vernon Philander SA 826 21.54 912 v Ind at Johannesburg 2013
5 (-1) Ravindra Jadeja Ind 812 23.50 899 v Aus at Ranchi 2017
6 (-1) Trent Boult NZ 795 27.84 825 v Eng at Lord’s 2015
7 ( – ) Rangana Herath SL 791 27.95 867 v Zim at Harare 2016
8 (-2) Pat Cummins Aus 784* 23.81 800 v SA at Johannesburg 2018
9 (-1) R. Ashwin Ind 777 25.44 904 v Eng at Mumbai 2016
10 (-1) Jason Holder Win 766*! 28.50 766 v Ind at Hyderabad 2018

 

BATSMEN (top 10)

Rank ( /-) Player Team Points Avge Highest Rating
1 ( – ) Virat Kohli Ind 935 54.57 937 v Eng at Southampton 2018
2 ( – ) Steve Smith Aus 910 61.37 947 v SA at Durban 2018
3 ( – ) Kane Williamson NZ 847 50.35 893 v Aus at Perth 2015
4 ( – ) Joe Root Eng 835 51.04 917 v Aus at Trent Bridge 2015
5 ( – ) David Warner Aus 803 48.20 880 v NZ at Perth 2015
6 ( – ) C. Pujara Ind 765 49.54 888 v SL at Nagpur 2017
7 ( – ) D. Karunaratne SL 754! 37.28 754 v SA at Colombo (SSC) 2018
8 ( – ) D. Chandimal SL 733 44.96 755 v Win at St Lucia 2018
9 ( – ) Dean Elgar SA 724 41.05 784 v Aus at Johannesburg 2018
10 ( 1) Aiden Markram SA 703* 47.27 759 v Aus at Johannesburg 2018
ICC player rankings Mohammad Abbas Pakistan

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