ICC Test Rankings for batsmen, Usman Khawaja
Australia's Usman Khawaja broke into the top ten of ICC rankings for Test batsmen. Image Courtesy: Getty

Following the remarkable performance in the first Test against Pakistan in Dubai, Australia’s Usman Khawaja has entered into the top ten list for batsmen in ICC Rankings for the first time. The flamboyant batsman was exceptional for his team in the first Test when he scored a stunning century to save the game for Australia.

The stylish southpaw struck 85 and 141 to claim the player of the match award on Thursday and also advanced nine places in the ICC Test Rankings. He is now placed 10th on the list surpassing his previous best rank of 11th.

However, Aussie skipper, Tim Paine is another cricketer, who raised his rank with a superb 61-run knock on the other day to save the Test for Australia. He moved two placed to settle at 49th on the latest ICC Test Rankings for the batsman.

Usman Khawaja, ICC Rankings
Usman Khawaja (Credits – Getty)

Meanwhile, for Pakistan, Mohammed Hafeez, who made his comeback to Test cricket with a century is placed 45th on the list. Another flamboyant batsman in the side, Asad Shafiq also moves up five places to reach 20th position.

Another centurion in the Test match, Haris Sohail moved up 17 places to reach 57th spot while Imam Ul Haq leapt 22 places to reach 88th. All in all, the performers with the bat made a massive difference in the ICC Rankings.

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In another story, Muhammad Abbas gained eight places to reach the thirteenth position. Abbas was brilliant in the match, who scalped seven wickets with his fine deliveries.

Prithvi Shaw, ICC Test Rankings
Prithvi Shaw. Credits: AFP

Aaron Finch and Prithvi Shaw cut into the ICC Rankings –

Meanwhile, the debutants Aaron Finch and Prithvi Shaw also grandly started their careers. They both found themselves on 72nd and 73rd positions in the ICC rankings, respectively.

Aaron Finch scored  62 and 49 in Dubai while opener Prithvi Shaw knocked century on his debut. Shaw also ended up receiving the man of the match award as well.

Here are the Top 10 Test Batsman list in ICC Rankings:

1 –Virat Kohli – 936

2 –Steven Smith – 919

3 –Kane Williamson – 847

4 –Joe Root – 835

5 –David Warner – 812

6 –Cheteshwar Pujara – 782

7 –Dimuth Karunaratne – 754

8 –Dinesh Chandimal – 733

9 –Dean Elgar – 724

10 – Usman Khawaja – 719

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