Pakistan’s left-arm spinner Noman Ali has made headlines after achieving a career-best ICC Test Bowling Ranking, climbing four places to secure the No. 2 spot in the world.

The 37-year-old’s consistent performances with the red ball have now placed him just 29 rating points behind India’s pace sensation Jasprit Bumrah, who continues to lead the charts.

This incredible leap marks a defining moment for Noman, who has quietly but effectively become one of Pakistan’s most reliable match-winners in Test cricket. His recent performances, filled with accuracy and control, have helped Pakistan stay competitive on challenging surfaces, earning him widespread praise from fans and analysts alike.

Shaheen, Rizwan, and Babar also make gains

It wasn’t just Noman Ali shining in the latest ICC update — several other Pakistan stars also moved up. Shaheen Shah Afridi climbed three spots to reach 19th position among Test bowlers, reflecting his steady improvement in the longer format.

On the batting side, Mohammad Rizwan made a strong statement, jumping four places to 16th, while Babar Azam also inched upward, gaining two spots to sit at 22nd in the ICC Test batting rankings.

Root and Bumrah remain on top globally

Across the global cricketing stage, Joe Root continues his reign as the world’s top Test batsman. The England veteran’s consistent form has kept him ahead of his closest rivals. Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah remains unchallenged as the world’s top Test bowler — but with Noman Ali’s current form, that top spot might not stay secure for long.

The latest ICC update also highlighted Asia’s dominance in white-ball cricket. In ODIs, Shubman Gill retains his position as the world’s No. 1 batsman, while Rashid Khan continues his supremacy among bowlers.

In T20 internationals, Rohit Sharma leads the batting charts, with Varun Chakravarti holding the top bowling position — reinforcing India’s power in the shorter formats.