Synopsis
Zimbabwe's stunning victory over Bangladesh has shaken up the ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings, featuring remarkable performances from players like Blessing Muzarabani and Mominul Haque. Discover how these achievements are reshaping the landscape of Test cricket as Jasprit Bumrah maintains his position at the forefront.Key Takeaways
- Blessing Muzarabani achieved a nine-wicket haul, earning Player of the Match.
- He became the second Zimbabwean to breach the 700-point mark in Test bowling.
- Zimbabwe achieved a three-wicket victory against Bangladesh.
- Jasprit Bumrah remains the top-ranked Test bowler.
- Several players from both teams saw significant movement in the rankings.
Dubai, April 30 (NationPress) Zimbabwe’s remarkable three-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the inaugural Test at Sylhet has significantly impacted the ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings. Leading the way is pace sensation Blessing Muzarabani, whose impressive nine-wicket performance not only earned him the Player of the Match award but also elevated him to an elite status among Test bowlers.
With a career-high rating of 705 points, Muzarabani became the second Zimbabwean bowler ever to surpass the 700-point threshold in Test cricket—a notable achievement that secures his place in the upper echelon. His efforts propelled him four positions up to 15th in the latest ICC Test bowling rankings, while India’s Jasprit Bumrah remains firmly at the top.
Adding to Zimbabwe’s accolades, left-arm spinner Wellington Masakadza made a significant return to Test cricket after a hiatus of over two years. Masakadza captured five wickets in the Sylhet Test, re-entering the Test bowling rankings at joint 68th place.
The Sylhet Test was not entirely one-sided; Bangladesh also saw notable performances. Veteran off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz, with ten wickets across both innings, rose four spots to 26th among Test bowlers.
In batting, Bangladesh’s top-order players had a week of steady progress. Mominul Haque scored 56 and 47, climbing five spots to 48th in the Test batting rankings, while rising star Jaker Ali jumped ten places to 50th after a half-century in the second innings. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto also showed consistency, moving up four spots to 53rd with scores of 40 and 60.
Zimbabwe’s Brian Bennett impressed with two half-centuries, making his debut in the top 100 at 90th place. His ability to handle pressure and play lengthy innings against quality opposition made him a standout.
Meanwhile, England’s Joe Root continues to hold the top position in the Test batting rankings with 895 points.
