Babar Azam has returned to the ICC Test batting top 10 after Pakistan strong finish against West Indies. His rise came alongside major gains for Abdullah Shafique and Sajid Khan, highlighting the impact of Pakistan improved performances in the Caribbean.
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| Babar Azam celebrates his return to the ICC Test batting top 10. |
Pakistan cricket has received a major boost in the latest ICC Test rankings, with Babar Azam returning to the world top 10 Test batters after a significant rise in the rankings.
The move follows Pakistan encouraging Test campaign in the Caribbean, where the team recovered strongly to beat West Indies by eight wickets in Port of Spain and level the two match World Test Championship series 1-1.
Babar return is particularly notable because he had spent a considerable period outside the elite group of Test batters. His latest improvement suggests that his recent performances are beginning to translate into a stronger position in the ICC rankings.
Babar Azam Moves Back Into the Test Top 10
Babar Azam climbed five places to reach 10th position among Test batters, marking his return to the top 10 after almost two years.
His ranking improvement came after an important contribution in Pakistan second Test against West Indies. Babar scored 88 runs in the first innings before remaining unbeaten on 24 during the successful fourth innings chase.
The result is significant for Babar because the Test format has been an area of greater scrutiny during his recent career. A return to the top 10 gives him another opportunity to rebuild his position among the world leading red ball batters.
Why Babar Ranking Rise Matters
ICC rankings reward sustained performances rather than simply one memorable innings. Therefore, Babar climb indicates that his recent contribution has had a measurable impact on his ranking points.
The challenge now will be consistency.
Pakistan next major Test assignment is a three match series in England beginning on August 19, giving Babar another opportunity to strengthen his ranking position.
Travis Head Remains the World No. 1 Test Batter
At the top of the rankings, Australia Travis Head continues to occupy first place.
England Harry Brook remains second, while Joe Root sits third. The battle between these elite batters has remained extremely competitive throughout 2026.
ICC official rankings previously showed Head at the summit with 853 rating points, narrowly ahead of Brook on 852 and Root on 840.
Head rise to No. 1 earlier in the summer came after Root and Brook lost rating points during England Test series against New Zealand.
Abdullah Shafique Makes a Huge Ranking Jump
Babar was not the only Pakistan batter to benefit from the Caribbean tour.
Abdullah Shafique climbed 25 places to 32nd in the Test batting rankings, making him one of the biggest movers among Pakistan players.
His improvement is easy to understand when his recent performance is considered. Shafique produced a match winning 160 not out in Port of Spain, helping Pakistan establish a first innings lead and eventually secure victory.
The innings also carried historical significance. Shafique became the first Pakistani batter since 1977 to score more than 150 in a Test innings in the West Indies.
A Major Boost for Pakistan Opening Combination
Shafique's rise could prove particularly valuable for Pakistan because successful Test teams need reliable top order batters.
His latest performance provides confidence that Pakistan may have another batter capable of producing long innings in challenging overseas conditions.
Other Pakistan Batters See Mixed Results
Pakistan ranking movement was not entirely positive.
Saud Shakeel dropped two places to 26th, while Mohammad Rizwan slipped one place to 27th.
Salman Ali Agha also fell six places, moving to 38th, while Shan Masood dropped three positions to 39th.
The mixed movement highlights an important feature of ICC rankings: individual positions can change quickly depending on recent performances and the results of other players around them.
Sajid Khan Climbs Five Places in Bowling Rankings
Pakistan also received encouraging news in the Test bowling rankings.
Off spinner Sajid Khan moved up five places to 30th after playing an important role in Pakistan victory over West Indies.
Sajid claimed four wickets in the second innings and helped Pakistan put the hosts under severe pressure before the final chase.
His rise adds another positive element to Pakistan Test campaign, particularly because spin played a major role in the Port of Spain victory.
Shaheen Afridi and Khurram Shahzad
Shaheen Shah Afridi remains Pakistan leading ranked bowler at 28th in the latest update provided in the ranking report.
Khurram Shahzad also improved by one place to 51st.
While these positions remain some distance from the global top five, Pakistan overall movement suggests that several players are gaining momentum simultaneously.
Jasprit Bumrah Leads the Test Bowling Rankings
India Jasprit Bumrah remains at the top of the Test bowling rankings.
New Zealand Matt Henry occupies second place, while Australia Mitchell Starc is third.
The top of the bowling rankings reflects the strength and depth of modern Test cricket, with fast bowlers from several leading nations competing closely for the highest positions.
ICC rankings have already shown how quickly the top positions can change. Earlier in 2026, Matt Henry briefly moved level with Bumrah after an outstanding performance against England before Bumrah returned to the summit.
Ravindra Jadeja Still Leads the Test All Rounders
India Ravindra Jadeja continues to hold the No. 1 position among Test all rounders.
His combination of batting contributions and left arm spin has kept him at the top of one of the most competitive categories in Test cricket.
For Pakistan, the latest rankings therefore provide encouraging signs in batting and bowling, even though the team still has considerable ground to cover before multiple players reach the global top tier.
West Indies Series Gives Pakistan Momentum
The ranking improvements come at an important time for Pakistan.
The team ended an eight match away Test losing streak by beating West Indies in Port of Spain. It was also Pakistan first overseas Test victory since their win over Sri Lanka in 2023.
The 1-1 series result means Pakistan avoided another overseas series defeat and gained valuable confidence ahead of the next phase of the World Test Championship.
The individual performances are equally important.
Babar 88, Shafique unbeaten 160 and Sajid Khan four wicket haul all contributed to Pakistan's successful response in the Caribbean.
What the Rankings Mean Ahead of Pakistan England Tour
Pakistan next Test challenge will be considerably different.
The team is scheduled to begin a three Test series in England on August 19, where conditions can provide a completely different examination for Pakistan batters and bowlers.
For Babar, the series could be particularly important.
Returning to the top 10 is an achievement, but maintaining or improving that position will require consistent performances against a strong England side.
For Abdullah Shafique, the England series represents another chance to prove that his 160* in the Caribbean was not an isolated performance.
And for Sajid Khan, adapting to English conditions could provide a different test of his effectiveness as a spinner.
Pakistan Ranking Picture Is Improving
The latest ICC Test rankings provide a mixture of individual gains and setbacks for Pakistan.
Babar Azam return to the top 10 is the headline development, while Abdullah Shafique 25 place jump and Sajid Khan five place rise add further positives.
The bigger story, however, may be Pakistan improved overseas performance.
After ending a long away losing streak and drawing the West Indies series, Pakistan now have an opportunity to build momentum. Their upcoming England Tests could reveal whether the improvements seen in the Caribbean represent the beginning of a more consistent Test revival.
Sources and Authority References
The ICC publishes the official Men's Test Player Rankings and regularly updates player ratings based on international performances.
Pakistan victory over West Indies and the key performances behind the result have also been independently reported by Reuters.