The captivating visual presentation highlighting this extraordinary sequence captivated the interest of viewers on the International Cricket Council’s Instagram platform, eliciting commendation for Shakeel’s exemplary situational acumen. Mohammad Rizwan, in a mesmerizing symphony of words with the PCB digital platform, bestowed upon the left-hander an avalanche of commendation for his awe-inspiring exhibition of astuteness and unwavering mastery over the game of cricket.

Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Haris (wk),  Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Afridi, Usama Mir

Saud Shakeel’s Stellar Performance Propels Him to 15th Spot in ICC Test Rankings, Trailing Virat Kohli by Only One Position. Pakistan’s rising star, Saud Shakeel, has joined the elite ranks of Test cricket’s top batters, finding himself among the likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, and Kane Williamson in the top 15 of the ICC Test Rankings. Shakeel’s remarkable feat was achieved after he scored a match-winning double century against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium earlier this month.

With his maiden Test double hundred, Saud Shakeel made a significant leap from the 27th to the 15th position in the ICC Test Rankings for batters. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli, who notched a century in the recently concluded second Test against West Indies, has managed to retain the 14th spot.

Indian captain Rohit Sharma shares the ninth position with Sri Lankan skipper Dimuth Karunaratne, both attaining 759 rating points. Sharma’s impressive performance, including two half-centuries against West Indies in the second Test match, contributed to his rise in the rankings.

However, Rishabh Pant, who has been absent from action since December last year, has dropped to the 12th position. On the other hand, England’s Harry Brook has moved up to the 11th position from 12th after his solid 61-run knock against Australia in the fourth Ashes Test at Emirates Old Trafford.

The top 5 batters in the ICC Test Rankings remain unchanged, with Kane Williamson, Marnus Labuschagne, Joe Root, Travis Head, and Babar Azam retaining their positions.

Saud Shakeel is not the only Pakistani player making strides in the ICC Test Rankings.

In the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, Pakistan displayed a splendid performance, not only owing to Saud Shakeel’s heroics but also due to the contributions of Agha Salman and Abrar Ahmed.

Agha Salman, who scored 83 runs in the first innings and provided crucial support to Shakeel, has climbed an impressive 17 places to secure the 58th position in the latest ICC Test Rankings for batters.

Furthermore, leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed’s exceptional performance, taking six wickets for Pakistan in the first Test, has earned him a notable advancement of 12 spots to reach the 45th position in the ICC Test Rankings for bowlers.

On the rain-affected third day of the first Test, Saud Shakeel showcased an aggressive batting display, scoring a century and helping Pakistan secure a lead against Sri Lanka. Despite a delayed start due to rain and a wet outfield in Galle, the visitors reached 313-6 at lunch, edging one run ahead of Sri Lanka’s first innings total.

Left-handed batsman Shakeel, who began the day on 69, remained unbeaten on 119 at lunch, accompanied by Noman Ali on 13. Shakeel, playing in his sixth Test match, reached his second Test century with a boundary and three runs, forging a crucial partnership of 177 runs with Agha Salman. However, Salman was eventually stumped off-spinner Ramesh Mendis on 83.

This remarkable duo rescued Pakistan from a precarious position of 101-5 on the second day, bravely countering the Sri Lankan spinners led by left-armer Prabath Jayasuriya, who had caused trouble for the visitors on Monday by taking three wickets in the top order, including skipper Babar Azam.

Shakeel and Salman displayed an aggressive approach, scoring runs at a brisk pace and consistently finding boundaries. However, the run rate slowed down after Salman’s dismissal.

Former Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed is in the same situation as Imam. Sarfraz has been scoring consistent runs in Tests since January 2019.

Sarfraz returned with 86 runs in the first Test of the series against New Zealand. He did not get a century for just 14 runs. He returned for 53 runs in the second innings.

In response to New Zealand’s 449 runs in the last Test of the ongoing series in Karachi, Pakistan fell into a batting disaster. Sarfraz Ahmed took the lead with Imam-ul-Haq in the team’s disaster. They added 150 runs for the fifth wicket. Sarfraz, who was dismissed for 86 in the first Test, returned for 78 runs in the first innings of the second Test. He did not get a century for 22 runs.

Imam-Sarfaraz was dismissed for 83 and 78 runs, but Saud Shakil completed the century. Pakistan crossed four hundred with his bat. At the end of the third day’s play, Pakistan scored 407 runs for 9 wickets. The hosts are still trailing by 42 runs.

New Zealand 1st innings: 449/10 (Devon Conway 122, Tom Latham 71, Matt Henry 68*, Tom Bundell 51;

Pakistan 1st innings: 407/9 (Saud Shakeel 124*, Imam-ul-Haq 83, Sarfraz Ahmed 78, Agha Salman 41;