Pakistan Cricket Team Faces Ranking Rollercoaster After Recent Series

Posted by author January 29, 2025 Cricket

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Pakistan’s cricketing fortunes have witnessed significant shifts as the ICC rankings update reveals both highs and lows for its national players after recent series. Following the Test matches against the West Indies, exciting advancements and disappointing falls among the team’s key players paint a narrative of performance and potential.

Leading the charge is left-arm spinner Noman Ali, whose stellar performance during the two-Test series caught the attention of cricket enthusiasts and experts alike. Noman’s impressive tally of 16 wickets helped propel him to a career-best fifth position in the ICC Test bowler rankings, accumulating 806 rating points. His counterpart, Sajid Khan, also shone brightly, taking 15 wickets which elevated him two spots to 21st with 644 points. This boost not only showcases Pakistan’s spin department but also serves as a reminder of the players’ abilities to rise to challenges.

Further adding to Pakistan’s spin strength, Abrar Ahmed improved his standing, moving up from 52nd to 50th, signaling a growing talent pool. Despite these positive changes, several celebrated players saw their rankings dip. Star pacer Shaheen Afridi slipped one rank to 22nd, with 641 points, and Mohammad Abbas, who was controversially omitted from the West Indies series, fell to 27th. Naseem Shah and Khurram Shahzad also experienced declines, indicating room for improvement as the team navigates upcoming challenges.

While on the batting front, Pakistan’s red-ball vice-captain Saud Shakeel faced a slight dip, moving to ninth position with 739 points. Babar Azam, the captain, faced harsh scrutiny for his performances during the series, dropping three places to 19th, which has sparked conversations among fans and analysts about team selection and leadership. Such fluctuations within the batting rankings highlight the competitive nature of cricket, where consistency is key.

The T20I rankings brought some silver lining for the team as Babar Azam retained his fifth spot as one of the top T20 batters, followed closely by Mohammad Rizwan, who climbed to eighth. New talents like Saim Ayub continue to showcase their promise, keeping the spotlight on Pakistan’s future. Yet, the bowler’s rankings revealed troubling changes for established players as Shaheen Afridi fell to 22nd, emphasizing the fluctuative nature of cricket excellence.

Reaction from the cricket community has also been noteworthy. Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Atiq-uz-Zaman expressed strong sentiments over the exclusion of Mohammad Abbas from the Test team, critiquing the decision-makers for undervaluing his contributions. Abbas, returning from a three-year hiatus, emerged as the highest wicket-taker during the South Africa series, claiming 10 wickets at 24.60. His standout performance—6 for 54—truly showcased his innate capabilities. Atiq’s comments resonate with many fans as they eagerly await team selections for future series.

The recent Test series against the West Indies ended on level terms, with both teams drawing 1-1. This result raises questions about Pakistan’s ability to convert potential advantages on home soil. The squad, under the captaincy of Shan Masood, featured players like Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, and rising star Noman Ali, yet they could not solidify their dominance. Salman Ali Agha, another middle-order batsman, has expressed his adaptability to bat anywhere for the team and remains focused on contributing, regardless of his position.

With the 2025 cricket season approaching, Pakistan fans are left wondering how the leadership will react to these changes. Wahab Riaz, who served as the senior team manager, stated recently on social media about the dynamics at play within the team’s management, asserting he had no real authority and decisions were centralized with the coach and captain. Such judgments highlight the layered complexity of cricket management and the impact it has on player performance.

Looking forward, the Pakistan National Cricket Team must address these performance discrepancies and unify as they prepare for upcoming matches. Each player’s ranking provides valuable insights, but consistency and collective effort are key to restoring Pakistan’s former cricketing glory. The team’s ability to adapt and grow from the current ranking challenges will be tested, as numerous opportunities loom on the horizon. Fans remain hopeful for the team to leverage these insights and move forward strongly as they gear up for another cricketing calendar year.