ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s debutants, all-rounder Faheem Ashraf and left-handedopener Imam-Ul-Haq have entered into the International Cricket Council(ICC) Test Player Rankings in the list for batsmen at 81st and 113thpositions, respectively.

Faheem scored 83 in the first innings against Ireland at Malahide whileImam had scores of seven and 74 not out, an ICC press release said.Pace bowlers Mohammad Abbas and Mohammad Amir have moved up the ladder withAbbas gaining eight slots to reach a career-best 29th position and Amiradvancing two places to 37th position. Abbas finished with nine for 110 inthe match while Amir took five for 72.

In the MRF Tyres ICC Test Team Rankings, Pakistan have gained one pointafter victory in the one-off Test. They remain in seventh position with 87points while Ireland, who will get a proper ranking only after eight Testmatches, have yet to take their first points.

Kevin O’Brien produced a knock of 40 in the first innings and a valiant 118in the second to help Ireland fight back after they were asked tofollow-on, eventually losing by five wickets. Kevin O’Brien’s 158 runs inthe match helped him to enter the Rankings in 66th place with a rating of440 points.Opener Charles Bannerman of Australia has the best rating of 447 points ina team’s debut Test, scoring 165 not out and four in the first ever cricketTest played between Australia and England in Melbourne in March 1877.Aminul Islam of Bangladesh (432 in 2001) and David Houghton of Zimbabwe(431 in 1992) are third and fourth in the list.

Fast bowler Tim Murtagh has also made a fine start, entering in 67thposition among bowlers after a match haul of six for 100, while all-rounderStuart Thompson has made notable starts in both lists, ranked 125th amongbatsmen and 88th among bowlers. – APP