ICC Test Batting Rankings: Babar Azam Returns to Top 10 as Rishabh Pant Drops to No. 14

ICC Test batting rankings have seen significant movement following Pakistan’s Test series against the West Indies, with Babar Azam making a strong return to the top 10. The Pakistan batter climbed five places to No. 10 with 716 rating points after producing two important scores in the second Test.

The latest rankings, released by the International Cricket Council on Wednesday, August 12, also saw India’s Rishabh Pant drop one position to 14th. Babar’s rise came after his performances helped Pakistan level the two-match series against the West Indies.

Babar Azam returns to ICC Test top 10

Babar Azam’s latest ranking boost is a major development for the Pakistan batter, who had slipped outside the top 10 in September 2024. The 31-year-old has now moved back into the elite group after gaining five places.

Babar scored 88 in the first innings of the second Test at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain before remaining unbeaten on 24 during Pakistan’s successful run chase. His contributions helped Pakistan secure a comfortable eight-wicket victory and finish the series level at 1-1.

Despite missing out on a century, Babar’s consistent contribution across the match was enough to significantly improve his position in the latest rankings.

Rishabh Pant slips to No. 14

While Babar moved into the top 10, Rishabh Pant dropped one place and is now ranked 14th among Test batters. The Indian wicketkeeper-batter’s position was affected by movement elsewhere in the rankings rather than a major change in his own recent performances.

Pant remains an important part of India’s Test setup, particularly because of his ability to change the momentum of a match with aggressive batting and his contributions behind the stumps.

Abdullah Shafique makes a huge jump

Another major Pakistan mover in the latest ICC Test batting rankings is Abdullah Shafique. The opener jumped an impressive 25 places to reach No. 32 with 607 rating points.

Shafique’s rise came after he produced an unbeaten 160 in the first innings of the second Test against the West Indies. He followed that performance with an unbeaten 24, playing a key role in Pakistan’s eight-wicket victory.

The performance has given Shafique a substantial boost and places him among the biggest ranking gainers in the latest update.

Travis Head remains No. 1

Australia’s Travis Head continues to lead the ICC Test batting rankings. He sits at No. 1 with 853 rating points, narrowly ahead of England’s Harry Brook, who has 852.

Joe Root remains third with 840 points, followed by Australia’s Steve Smith on 831. South Africa captain Temba Bavuma occupies fifth place with 775 points.

Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal remain in top 10

India continue to have two batters inside the top 10. Shubman Gill is ranked seventh with 743 rating points, while Yashasvi Jaiswal occupies ninth place with 733 points.

Sri Lanka’s Kamindu Mendis is sixth with 744 points, while New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra is eighth with 740 points. The narrow margins between several players mean further strong performances could lead to significant movement in future updates.

ICC Test Batting Rankings: August 12, 2026

What Babar’s return means for Pakistan

Babar’s return to the top 10 gives Pakistan another positive after the drawn Test series against the West Indies. His ranking position had declined significantly over the past two years, but the latest performances demonstrate his ability to climb the rankings when he converts starts into substantial contributions.

For Pakistan, his form will be particularly important as the team continues to rebuild its Test batting unit. The emergence of Shafique alongside Babar’s return to the top 10 provides the side with encouraging signs ahead of its upcoming assignments.

India’s Test batting rankings picture

India still have strong representation near the top of the rankings, with Gill seventh and Jaiswal ninth. Pant’s move down to 14th means India currently have three prominent batters within the upper section of the rankings.

With India’s Test schedule continuing and the team entering an important phase of the World Test Championship cycle, performances from Gill, Jaiswal and Pant could have a major impact on their rankings in the coming months.