LONDON, Aug 23: Pakistan batsman Mohammad Yousuf gave his side some good news after his form during the Test series against England saw him rise to a career-best position of third in the ICC Test batting rankings.

Yousuf had an outstanding series, scoring 631 runs in four Tests.

But his performance was overshadowed by the dramatic conclusion to the series finale at The Oval on Sunday where Pakistan became the first side in history of Test cricket to forfeit a match after they refused to take the field following the fourth day tea interval, having been penalised five runs for ball-tampering by the umpires.

Yousuf is now the highest-placed Pakistan batsman in the list as he and Younis Khan, now fourth, have swapped places.

Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq remained in seventh place.

Australia skipper Ricky Ponting remained top of the batting standings with India's Rahul Dravid in second position.—AFP