Mohammad Abbas attains third spot in ICC Test rankings

Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Abbas, who had taken a 10-wicket haul in the recently-concluded second Test match against Australia, has gained 11 slots to attain the career-high third spot in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test bowlers rankings.

The 28-year-old, who started the series in 21st position, is the 10th Pakistan bowler to reach 800 rating points matching compatriot Yasir Shah and South Africa all-rounder Vernon Philander who also reached that threshold in 10 Tests.

Three players who reached the 800-point mark in fewer Tests did so were England's Tom Richardson (eight) in 1896, Australia's Charlie Turner (nine) in 1892 and John Ferris (nine) in 1892.

The fast bowlers' impressive bowling figures in the second Test against Australia had helped his side register a thumping 373-run victory over their opponents.

Apart from Abbas, the other bowlers to breach the 800-point barrier from Pakistan are Yasir Shah (10 Tests), Fazal Mahmood (16 Tests), Imran Khan (37 Tests), Wasim Akram (37 Tests), Waqar Younis (12 Tests), Mushtaq Ahmed (25 Tests), Shoaib Akhtar (29 Tests), Mohammad Asif (19 Tests) and Saeed Ajmal (19 Tests)

Pakistan off-spinner Bilal Asif is another bowler to gain in the latest ranking update, advancing 17 slots to 52nd position, while Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed has gained 17 slots among batsmen after his knocks of 94 and 81 in the second Test.

In Test batsmen rankings, Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman has entered the rankings in 68th position after scores of 94 and 66 on debut while Babar Azam (up nine places to a career-best 76th), Australia's Aaron Finch (up 15 places to 59th), Mitchell Starc (up seven places to 89th) and Travis Head (up five places to 97th) are the others to advance among batsmen.

Pakistan's 1-0 win in the two-match Test series over Australia has helped them gain seven points in the ICC Test team rankings, coming within two points of sixth-placed Sri Lanka. On the other hand, Australia have slipped from third to the fifth position.

Pakistan and Australia will now face each other in a three-match T20 series from October 24 to 28.