Noman Ali Closes In On Jasprit Bumrah in ICC Test Rankings

Pakistan off-spinner Noman Ali has jumped to a career-high second position in the ICC Men's Test Rankings following an outstanding display against South Africa in Lahore. His ten-wicket haul helped Pakistan register a 93-run win, leaving him just 29 points behind India's Jasprit Bumrah at number one in the Test bowling rankings.

The left-arm spinner currently sits on 853 rating points, a sign of his superior form in current matches. His four-place rise is a testament to his reliability and influence on the pitch.

Did Shaheen Afridi Also Make His Presence Felt?

Noman wasn't the lone Pakistani bowler who gained from the recent Test series. Left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi improved three spots to 19th on the ICC Test bowling rankings with his four-wicket record in the second innings against South Africa.

This is another benchmark for Pakistan's pace attack, demonstrating depth and emerging stars in their bowling unit.

Which Pakistan Batters Are Gaining Momentum?

The batsmen also received a lift in the ICC Test batter rankings:

• Mohammad Rizwan – four rungs up to 16th position

• Babar Azam – two notches up to 22nd place

• Salman Agha – eight places up to 30th position

Even with these leaps, the Test batting rankings are topped by England's Joe Root, reflecting the continuing rivalry among leading international batters.

Did Any Proteas Players Make Strides?

For South Africa, personal performances also received recognition:

• Ryan Rickelton – joined the top 50 batsmen list following a first innings 71

• Tony de Zorzi – rose to 54th position after his century

These improvements show they stood firm despite the team's defeat in Lahore.

What Changes Occurred In White-Ball Cricket Rankings?

There were significant changes in ODI and T20I rankings this week:

• Australia: Mitchell Marsh moves up two places to 42nd among ODI batsmen; Josh Hazlewood rises six spots to 10th; Mitchell Starc up four steps to 21st among ODI bowlers.

• India: Mohammed Siraj re-emerges in the ODI rankings at 17th following his return to international cricket.

• Bangladesh: Mehidy Hasan Miraz moves up six places to 18th among ODI bowlers.

• England: Harry Brook rises 18 ranks to tie 20th in T20I batsmen; Adil Rashid climbs three ranks to third in T20I bowlers following win against New Zealand.

Can Noman Ali Challenge Jasprit Bumrah For No. 1 Spot?

With only 29 points behind Jasprit Bumrah, Noman Ali is now well in the running for the No. 1 Test bowler position. If he continues to perform at this level, the battle for the top ranking may witness a massive overhaul, providing more thrill to the coming Test schedule.