Key Highlights
- Jasprit Bumrah retains No. 1 ICC Test bowler ranking but lead narrows to just 29 points
- Pakistan’s Noman Ali jumps four spots to second place with 853 rating points after 10-wicket haul
- Mohammed Siraj returns to ODI rankings at 17th position following strong Australia series performance
- Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi climbs three places to 19th in Test bowling rankings
- Mitchell Marsh rises to 42nd in ODI batting after Player of Match performance in Perth
- Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam make significant gains in Test batting rankings
- Bangladesh’s Mehidy Hasan Miraz and England’s Harry Brook register notable improvements
New Delhi: India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah continues his reign at the summit of the ICC Men’s Test Bowlers’ Rankings following the latest update released on Wednesday. However, the legendary fast bowler’s grip on the top position has become considerably more tenuous, with his advantage over the second-placed bowler shrinking to a mere 29 rating points. This dramatic narrowing of the gap comes courtesy of an exceptional bowling performance by Pakistan’s left-arm spinner Noman Ali, whose recent heroics have propelled him into contention for the coveted number one spot.
Noman Ali’s Meteoric Rise Threatens Bumrah’s Supremacy
The latest rankings update reflects the impact of Pakistan’s recent Test match, where Noman Ali delivered a match-winning performance that has catapulted him up the rankings ladder. The 38-year-old spinner claimed a remarkable 10-wicket haul in the Test, showcasing the classical art of spin bowling with precision and guile. This stellar performance earned him a jump of four places, elevating him from sixth position to second with a total of 853 rating points.
Bumrah, who has dominated the Test bowling rankings throughout 2024 and into 2025 with his unique bowling action and devastating yorkers, now sits on 882 rating points. While he maintains the top position, the 29-point margin represents one of the narrowest leads in recent memory, setting up an intriguing battle for supremacy in the coming months as both bowlers continue their international campaigns.
Noman Ali’s achievement is particularly noteworthy given his relatively late blooming in international cricket. Having made his Test debut at age 34 in 2021, he has become an increasingly vital component of Pakistan’s bowling attack, especially in home conditions where his left-arm orthodox spin has proven particularly effective against both Asian and international opponents.
Pakistan’s Bowling Resurgence
Pakistan’s bowling unit showed significant improvement across the rankings, with another fast-bowling star making substantial gains. Shaheen Shah Afridi, the left-arm pace sensation who has been a cornerstone of Pakistan’s attack across all formats, climbed three places to reach 19th position in the Test bowling rankings. His ascent came on the back of a crucial four-wicket haul in the second innings of the recent Test match, demonstrating his ability to deliver breakthroughs when his team needs them most.
The concurrent rise of both Noman Ali and Shaheen Afridi reflects Pakistan’s evolving bowling strategy, which effectively combines the experience and guile of spin with the raw pace and swing of their fast bowlers. This balanced attack has become increasingly potent, particularly in home conditions where pitches offer assistance to both pace and spin at different stages of matches.
Mohammed Siraj’s Triumphant ODI Return
In the limited-overs format, Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj has marked his return to international cricket with an impressive showing that has translated into significant rankings gains. After spending more than a year out of the ODI setup due to a combination of form concerns, injury management, and intense competition for places in India’s pace battery, Siraj made a compelling case for his continued selection during the recent ODI series against Australia.
His performances in Australia have propelled him to 17th position in the ICC ODI Bowlers’ Rankings, representing a substantial jump that underscores both the quality of his bowling and the impact he made in crucial matches. Playing in Australian conditions—known for their pace and bounce—Siraj demonstrated his ability to extract movement both through the air and off the pitch, troubling Australian batsmen with his consistency and variations.
The return of Siraj adds valuable depth to India’s fast bowling resources, which already include established names like Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and emerging talents. His ability to bowl effectively in different phases of an innings, from providing early breakthroughs with the new ball to executing yorkers at the death, makes him a versatile option for India’s ODI strategy.
Pakistani Batsmen Make Gains
Pakistan’s batting lineup also saw encouraging movement in the Test rankings, with several players improving their positions following strong performances. Wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan, who has established himself as a crucial middle-order presence across formats, climbed four places to reach 16th position. Rizwan’s consistency with the bat, combined with his excellent glovework behind the stumps, has made him one of Pakistan’s most valuable Test cricketers.
Former captain Babar Azam, despite experiencing a relative dip in his prolific scoring rate compared to previous years, still managed to advance two places to 22nd position. Babar’s movement up the rankings suggests a return to form after a challenging period, which will be welcomed by Pakistan’s cricket establishment as they prepare for crucial Test assignments ahead.
All-rounder Salman Agha registered the most significant gain among Pakistani batsmen, surging eight places to reach 30th position. Agha’s contributions with both bat and ball have made him an increasingly important component of Pakistan’s Test strategy, providing valuable balance to the playing eleven.
South African Breakthroughs
South Africa’s Test team produced two notable individual performances that resulted in significant rankings improvements. Ryan Rickelton, the left-handed batsman, achieved a personal milestone by breaking into the top 50 of the ICC Test Batting Rankings for the first time in his career. His innings of 71 runs in the first Test against Pakistan demonstrated the technique and temperament required for sustained success at the highest level.
Tony de Zorzi, another promising South African batsman, made an even more dramatic impression by scoring a century that propelled him to 54th position in the rankings. De Zorzi’s hundred showcased his ability to construct substantial innings and convert good starts into match-defining contributions.
Australian Stars Shine in ODI Format
Australia’s stand-in captain, Mitchell Marsh, delivered a Player of the Match performance in the Perth ODI against India that has been reflected in his rankings progression. The all-rounder advanced two places to 42nd position in the ODI batting rankings, highlighting his growing influence as both a batsman and leader in the limited-overs format.
Marsh’s performance in Perth was particularly significant given he was leading the side in the absence of regular captain Pat Cummins. His ability to shoulder responsibility with both bat and captaincy demonstrates the depth of leadership talent available to Australian cricket.
Australia’s fast bowling duo also made positive strides in the ODI bowling rankings. Josh Hazlewood, known for his metronomic accuracy and ability to move the ball both ways, climbed to 10th position—placing him firmly among the world’s elite ODI bowlers. His bowling partner Mitchell Starc, the left-arm speedster famous for his yorkers and ability to swing the new ball, moved up to 21st position.
Bangladesh and England Progress
Bangladesh spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz continued his consistent performances with an impressive showing against the West Indies that earned him a climb of six places to 18th position in the Test bowling rankings. Mehidy’s all-round capabilities—he is also a useful lower-order batsman—have made him indispensable to Bangladesh’s Test aspirations.
In the shortest format, England’s batting sensation Harry Brook registered improvement in the T20I batsmen rankings, moving up to 18th position. Brook’s explosive batting style and ability to score quickly in the middle overs have made him a key figure in England’s white-ball setup as they continue to evolve their aggressive batting philosophy across limited-overs formats.
Rankings Dynamics and Future Outlook
The latest ICC rankings update reflects the dynamic nature of international cricket, where outstanding individual performances can significantly alter standings within a single series or even a single match. The narrowing gap between Bumrah and Noman Ali sets up an intriguing narrative for the coming months, with both bowlers likely to feature prominently in their respective teams’ upcoming Test assignments.
For India, maintaining Bumrah’s position at the top while also seeing other bowlers like Siraj rise through the rankings demonstrates the strength and depth of their pace bowling resources. For Pakistan, the simultaneous rise of bowlers and batsmen across rankings suggests a team finding form and confidence at an opportune time.
As international cricket continues with packed schedules across all formats, these rankings will continue to fluctuate, reflecting the performances of players in real-time and providing fans with quantifiable measures of excellence in the sport.
