Cricket

Sri Lanka's men's cricket team, led by Charith Asalanka, is aiming to recapture the glory days of the 2007-2014 era, when the team reached five World Cup finals and won the 2014 T20 title. After a string of limited overs series wins against India and West Indies, Asalanka believes the team has the potential to climb back into the top three of the ICC rankings."Our goal is to climb to the top three in the rankings," said Asalanka. "If we've consistently been winning, when we go to the ICC tournaments, we won't get exposed."Sri Lanka's recent resurgence has been built on the back of strong performances from new players such as Janith Liyanage and Nishan Madushka. Asalanka believes that the team's bench strength is improving, which will help them compete with the best teams in the world."We're hoping to play our best XI all the time," said Asalanka. "That's how our bench strength improves as well, because they then know how well you have to play to get a spot in that XI. And the players in the XI also fight for their own places."Sri Lanka's next challenge will be a series against New Zealand, which begins with a T20I on August 29. Asalanka is confident that his team can continue their winning ways and move up the ICC rankings."We are hoping to come back to that level," said Asalanka. "It's important to play really well from tour to tour."

Virat Kohli's recent Test series against New Zealand has been a disappointing one, with the former Indian captain scoring just 44 runs in five innings. This has resulted in a significant drop in his ICC Test ranking, with Kohli now sitting at 22nd, his lowest position in over a decade.Kohli's struggles have been evident throughout the series, with the 34-year-old failing to convert starts into substantial scores. In the first Test in Kanpur, he was dismissed for 0 and 1, while in the second Test in Mumbai, he managed only 4 and 1.Kohli's poor form has coincided with a resurgence from Rishabh Pant, who has moved up to sixth in the ICC Test batting rankings after a strong performance in the Mumbai Test. Pant scored half-centuries in both innings, helping India to avoid a whitewash.Other Indian batters to make gains in the rankings include Shubman Gill, who moved up four places to 16th, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who dropped a rung to fourth.In the bowling rankings, Ravindra Jadeja climbed two spots to sixth after taking 10 wickets against New Zealand. Jasprit Bumrah remains India's top-ranked bowler, sitting at fourth, while Ravichandran Ashwin is fifth.New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell also made a significant jump in the rankings, moving up eight places to seventh after scoring 82 in the first innings of the Mumbai Test.

South Africa's Kagiso Rabada has ascended to the pinnacle of the ICC Test bowling rankings, dethroning India's Jasprit Bumrah. Rabada's exceptional performance in the first Test against Bangladesh, where he claimed nine wickets, propelled him to the top spot.Rabada's rise to the summit marks a significant milestone in his illustrious career. He first achieved the top ranking in January 2018 but relinquished it in February 2019. His return to the apex demonstrates his unwavering consistency and world-class ability.Bumrah, who had held the top spot for an extended period, has slipped to third place. Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood occupies the second position, while India's veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin remains at fourth. Australia's captain and fast bowler Pat Cummins rounds out the top five.Pakistan spinner Noman Ali has made a remarkable entry into the top 10, securing the ninth spot. His impressive performances in the home series against England, where he played a pivotal role in Pakistan's 2-1 victory, have earned him a career-high ranking.New Zealand's left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner has also achieved a personal best ranking. His outstanding performance in the Pune Test against India, where he claimed 13 wickets, has propelled him 30 positions to the 44th spot.Rabada's ascent to the top of the rankings is a testament to his exceptional skill and unwavering determination. His ability to generate pace, swing, and accuracy makes him a formidable force in Test cricket. As he continues to lead South Africa's bowling attack, Rabada will undoubtedly aim to maintain his dominance and cement his legacy as one of the greatest bowlers of his generation.

Harry Brook's remarkable ascent in Test cricket continues unabated, with the 25-year-old England batter now occupying the coveted second spot in the ICC Test batting rankings. Brook's meteoric rise has been fueled by a jaw-dropping triple century against Pakistan in the first Test in Multan, propelling him eleven places up the ladder.In the process, Brook has leapfrogged Indian batting legend Virat Kohli, who has slipped one spot to seventh in the latest rankings. Brook's stunning performances have solidified his status as one of the most exciting batters in the Test arena. His triple hundred not only dismantled Pakistan's bowling attack to give England a 1-0 lead in the ongoing series but also underlined his potential to become one of the modern greats.Brook's rise has been mirrored by his England teammate Joe Root, who has achieved a new career-high rating of 932 points, further cementing his legacy. Root's remarkable innings of 262 in the first Test against Pakistan in Multan propelled him further ahead at the top of the ICC Test batting rankings. This new rating of 932 points surpasses his previous best of 923 and places him among an elite group of only 16 players in the history of Test cricket to achieve a rating above 932.The all-time best Test batting rankings remain led by Don Bradman, whose 961 points remain unmatched. Others in the top tier include Steve Smith (947), Ricky Ponting (942), and Virat Kohli (937). With his new rating, Root now joins legends such as Mohammad Yousuf (933) and Kumar Sangakkara (938) in this exclusive club.Brook and Root's record-breaking 454-run partnership for the fourth wicket against Pakistan was pivotal in England's emphatic victory, marking one of the most dominant displays in recent Test cricket. Their partnership showcased their exceptional batting skills and highlighted the depth of England's batting lineup.As England continues its tour of Pakistan, all eyes will be on Brook and Root to see if they can maintain their remarkable form. With their talent and determination, they have the potential to lead England to further success and cement their place among the all-time greats of the game.

Pakistan's cricket team has plummeted to its lowest ranking in over half a century, falling to eighth place in the ICC Test rankings after a humiliating series loss to Bangladesh. This marks the first time Pakistan has ever lost a Test series to Bangladesh.The two-match series, held in Rawalpindi, saw Pakistan suffer a crushing 10-wicket defeat in the first Test and a 6-wicket loss in the second. The defeats have resulted in Pakistan dropping two places in the rankings, below West Indies, and accumulating a mere 76 rating points.This is the lowest rating Pakistan has held since 1965, excluding a brief period when they were not ranked due to an insufficient number of matches. Bangladesh's successful chase of 185 in the second Test was the third-highest by any visiting team in Pakistan.Despite their impressive performance, Bangladesh did not receive a significant boost in the rankings, remaining in ninth place. However, the series victory has solidified their position in the World Test Championship cycle 2023-25, where they now rank fourth behind India, Australia, and New Zealand.Bangladesh's success in the series has earned them 13 rating points, bringing their total to 33. They will now shift their focus to a two-Test series against India, commencing on September 19 in Chennai.In the World Test Championship, teams are ranked based on the percentage of points they win. A victory earns 12 points, a draw earns 4 points, and a tie earns 6 points.

Pakistan's star batter Babar Azam has witnessed a significant drop in his ICC Test rankings, falling to the ninth position. This decline comes amidst a string of poor performances in the longest format of the game. In the recent Test against Bangladesh, Babar managed scores of 22 and 0, contributing to Pakistan's stunning defeat.Former Pakistan batter Basit Ali believes that Babar's ranking drop could serve as a catalyst for improvement. He suggests that the former Pakistan captain will be motivated to perform well in the series-deciding second Test against Bangladesh. Basit also advocates for a reduction in Babar's ODI ranking, arguing that he is not the number one batter in that format.Basit criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for organizing the Champions Cup, a domestic 50-over tournament, after the Test series against Bangladesh. He urged the PCB to emulate India's approach by organizing more red-ball tournaments."India is right next to us, please copy their system too," Basit said. "The Duleep Trophy is about to begin. Is it a T20 or One-Day tournament? It is a four-day tournament. They are focused on making their base stronger, which is why they are so successful."Basit's comments highlight the need for Pakistan to prioritize red-ball cricket and develop a stronger foundation for its Test team. The upcoming second Test against Bangladesh will be a crucial opportunity for Babar Azam to regain his form and inspire his team to victory.

Jasprit Bumrah, India's pace spearhead, has established himself as one of the most formidable fast bowlers in international cricket. Known for his lethal pace, pinpoint accuracy, and exceptional yorker-bowling ability, Bumrah has played a pivotal role in India's recent successes.Bumrah's unique bowling action, characterized by a high-arm release and a slinging motion, generates immense pace and bounce. This, coupled with his ability to swing the ball both ways, makes him a nightmare for batsmen. His death bowling skills are particularly impressive, as he excels at containing runs and taking crucial wickets in the final overs.In a recent interview, Bumrah revealed his mindset when facing tough batsmen. Instead of focusing on the opposition, he emphasizes self-belief and execution. "I tell myself that if I do my job well, there's nobody in the world who can stop me," he said.Bumrah's impact on the Indian team has been undeniable. He played a key role in India's T20 World Cup triumph in 2022, taking 15 wickets at an astonishing economy rate of 4.17. He was named Player of the Tournament for his exceptional performance.Despite occasional injury setbacks, Bumrah remains a vital cog in India's plans, especially in major tournaments. His ability to bowl with pace, accuracy, and control makes him a formidable weapon for the Indian team.Bumrah's achievements extend beyond the international arena. He is the first bowler in history to be ranked Number One in the ICC Rankings in all three formats of the game. This testament to his versatility and dominance across the board.