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International cricket is back after a long break due to the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Pakistan has been back in Test cricket, where they lost to Bangladesh, and now are hosting Australia for a three-match ODI series. The series has been in a 1-1 situation as it will go down to the final game as the decider.
And the Test match between Ireland and New Zealand have made changes to the latest ICC Player Rankings update. The Kiwis have had a good warm-up game before they travel to England for their Test series against the Three Lions, as the first Test is set to begin tomorrow.
Pakistan cricketers get a massive jump in ICC rankings
Especially the bowlers have done well in the recent series between Pakistan and Australia, in Rawalpindi and Lahore. The Men in Green spinner Abrar Ahmed has been in sensational form in the series and thus has been rewarded for the same. The mystery spinner has moved into fourth, making a seven-spot jump, a career-high position with a 633 rating for ICC ODI Bowlers.
The Pakistan spinner has picked two wickets in each of the matches he has played against the Aussies. Apart from him, the ODI captain, Shaheen Shah Afridi, has also moved up the rankings; he has had a four-spot jump to 13th position in the ICC rankings with a rating of 593. The Pakistan pacer picked four wickets in two games, combined with three wickets in the last game.
Matt Renshaw shines for Australia
Nathan Ellis have also climbed up after his match-winning performance in the 2nd ODI vs Pakistan. The Aussie pacer moved up 24 spots to 44th after claiming six wickets across the two outings, claiming four wickets in the last game and dismantling the Pakistan batting order.
Matt Renshaw has been one of the best batters for Australia in this series, as run scoring has been difficult on Pakistan’s turning pitches. The Southpaw has scored 61 and 43, respectively, in the last two games, which has led to gain his ICC rankings. He has moved over 100 spots (to 78th) in the ICC rankings and is showcasing a brilliant future talent for the Aussies.
Cameron Green moved up five spots to 63rd after making a good fifty in the last game, but Salman Ali Agha fell out of the top ten, dropping five spots to 14th. The Pakistan T20I captain did not have the best outings in the last two games and thus has dropped down.
Rachin Ravindra enters top 10 of ICC rankings
While the Ireland vs New Zealand Test match has led to a gain in the ICC rankings for the Kiwis, in the traditional format. Rachin Ravindra, who made the headlines, moved into the top ten for Test batters for the first time as he has been ranked 9th, with a 737 rating after a knock of 121.
Apart from him, Tom Blundell, who was the top scorer in the Test match with 186 runs, moved eight places to 40th (575). Ireland’s Mark Adair returned to the Test bowlers rankings list in 24th place, while Nathan Smith jumped 24 ranks to 59th, trailing only teammate Blair Tickner (54th, up nine places).
