Yasir Shah makes impressive gains in Test rankings

Pakistan spinner Yasir Shah has made impressive gains in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test rankings for bowlers after picking up a 14-wicket haul against New Zealand in their second Test in the ongoing three-match series in Dubai.

The 32-year-old is now back in top 10 of the ICC Test bowlers' ranking list having attained the tenth spot.

South African pacer Kagiso Rabada, meanwhile, became the number one bowler after England's James Anderson lost one per cent of his points for missing the Colombo Test against Sri Lanka. This means that Anderson lost nine points and has now dropped eight points behind the South Africa fast bowler.

Other bowlers to move up the ladder are Bangladesh's Taijul Islam at a career-high 21st position (up six places), Ben Stokes of England at 28th (up three places), Caribbean bowler Devendra Bishoo at 32nd (up two places), Adil Rashid of England at a career-best 36th (up two places), English spinner Jack Leach at 41st (up two places), Lakshan Sandakan of Sri Lanka at a career-high 45th (up 11 places) and Malinda Pushpakumara of Sri Lanka at 61st (up 15 places).

In the batting table, Jonny Bairstow of England has jumped six places to attain the 16th place on the ranking list. This came after his knocks of 110 and 15 against Sri Lanka which helped his side register a 42-run victory over the hosts in the final Test.

Bangladesh batsman Mominul Haque moved 11 places to get the 24th position on the Test batsmen's ranking list. He had scored 120 and 12 against West Indies which helped his side register a 64-run victory over the visitors in Chittagong. It was also their maiden win over the Caribbean side.

Indian skipper Virat Kohli continues to lead the ranking table while Pakistan's Azhar Ali has moved up three places to 12th. Kusal Mendis of Sri Lanka is now at the 20th position (up by eight places), Ben Stokes at 31st (up by five places), Roshen Silva at 48th (up by five places) and Shane Dowrich at 58th (up by seven places).

Meanwhile, New Zealand's Henry Nicholls leads the pack of batsmen who have achieved career-high rankings. He is now ranked 17th (up by three places) while Jos Buttler bagged the 18th spot (up by three places), Haris Sohail, 38th (up by 33 places), Babar Azam, 39th (up by 24 places) and Ben Foakes got the 50th spot (up by four places).