Pakistan cricket captain Babar Azam has slipped fifth in the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Test batters rankings, losing one position.
The latest ICC rankings show Australian batsmen dominating the top three spots, with Marnus Labuschagne leading, followed by Steve Smith and Travis Head. Labuschagne has scored 903 rating points, Smith 885, and Head 884, boosted by their centuries in the ICC World Test Championship Final against India at The Oval.
Babar, the sole Pakistani player in the top 10, has 862 rating points, falling behind New Zealand’s Kane Williamson with 883 points.
Read: Babar Azam in ICC Test Batsmen Rankings, Ascends to 4th Spot
The ICC highlighted the rarity of players from the same team occupying the top three positions, with the previous instance being in 1984 when West Indies players Gordon Greenidge, Clive Lloyd, and Larry Gomes were leading the rankings.
Other significant movements were noted in the wake of Australia’s 209-run victory over India. Alex Carey jumped 11 places to 36th after scoring 48 and 66 not out, while Nathan Lyon climbed two to sixth and Scott Boland rose five to 36th, both due to their five-wicket hauls in the match.
Indian batsman Ajinkya Rahane reentered the rankings at 37th position following his scores of 89 and 46, while Shardul Thakur improved six places to 94th after scoring a half-century in the first innings.
