New Zealand link Skipper Kane Williamson shifted at the top in the official list of ICC Test batsman after loping Australia’s Steve Smith and India Captain Virat Kohli.
The Kiwis Skipper hit a match-winning century in the opening Test against Pakistan to help New Zealand win by 101 runs at Mount Maunganui on Wednesday.
“It’s about trying to do as much as you can for the team. If you can contribute as much as you can and it can be reflected on the rankings, that’s really cool.” Williamson said in his response after being at the top in the latest ICC Test rankings.
Kohli, who top scored for India in their eight-wicket thrashing by Australia in the series opener in Adelaide, has returned home for the birth of his first child.
For Pakistan, Fawad Alam’s career defining second-innings century lifted him 80 places to 102nd position while wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan’s scores of 71 and 60 have helped him advance 27 places to a career-best 47th position. Left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Afridi has moved from 35th to 33rd after grabbing four wickets in the first innings. Pakistan Skipper Babar Azam took the number five spot in the rankings with 789 points at the average of 45.44.
Moreover, Australia’s Pat Cummins remains the top-ranked Test bowler, while compatriot Mitchell Starc jumped two places to enter the top five.
Furthermore the Indian debutants Shubman Gill and Mohammad Siraj have made notable entries in 76th and 77th positions in the list for batsmen and bowlers, respectively. Gill scored 45 and 35 not out opening the innings while Siraj finished with five wickets in the match.