Yasir Shah soars to the top of ICC Test bowler rankings

Published July 18, 2016
Pakistan's Yasir Shah celebrates taking the wicket of England's Moeen Ali. — Reuters
Pakistan's Yasir Shah celebrates taking the wicket of England's Moeen Ali. — Reuters

Pakistan leg-spinner Yasir Shah, on Monday, moved up to the top position in the International Cricket Council's Test bowler rankings. He replaced injured England pacer James Anderson to conquer the spot.

Swabi-born Shah marked his first Test outside of Asia and the United Arab Emirates by taking 10 wickets in the match as Pakistan beat England by 75 runs in their series opener at Lord's on Sunday.

The 30-year-old took 10 for 141, including a second-innings haul of four for 69 on Sunday's fourth day.

His return, which surpassed Waqar Younis's previous Test-match best for Pakistan at Lord's of eight for 154, was central to the tourists going 1-0 up in this four-match series.

In the first innings of the match on Friday, Shah became the first leg-spinner in 20 years to take a five-wicket haul in a Test innings at Lord's to leave Pakistan well-placed at stumps on the second day of the series opener.

in his first Test since serving a three-month drugs ban, Yasir ran through England's middle-order on the way to five for 64 in 25 overs.

It was the first time any leg-spinner had taken five or more wickets in a Test innings at Lord's since his compatriot Mushtaq Ahmed's five for 57 in 1996.

Yasir has been a consistent wicket-taker for the Misbah-led Pakistan side since his Test debut against Australia in 2014. The leggie, since then, has been a major contributor in Pakistan's rise to the third position in the ICC Test team rankings.

The spinner will be looking to add to his impressive tally of 86 wickets in 13 Tests when Pakistan take on England in the second of the four Tests at Old Trafford in Manchester on July 22.

Opinion

Editorial

Hasty transition
Updated 05 May, 2024

Hasty transition

Ostensibly, the aim is to exert greater control over social media and to gain more power to crack down on activists, dissidents and journalists.
One small step…
05 May, 2024

One small step…

THERE is some good news for the nation from the heavens above. On Friday, Pakistan managed to dispatch a lunar...
Not out of the woods
05 May, 2024

Not out of the woods

PAKISTAN’S economic vitals might be showing some signs of improvement, but the country is not yet out of danger....
Rigging claims
Updated 04 May, 2024

Rigging claims

The PTI’s allegations are not new; most elections in Pakistan have been controversial, and it is almost a given that results will be challenged by the losing side.
Gaza’s wasteland
04 May, 2024

Gaza’s wasteland

SINCE the start of hostilities on Oct 7, Israel has put in ceaseless efforts to depopulate Gaza, and make the Strip...
Housing scams
04 May, 2024

Housing scams

THE story of illegal housing schemes in Punjab is the story of greed, corruption and plunder. Major players in these...