Shanto Earns Major ICC Recognition

Bangladesh captain Nazmul Hossain Shanto has received a significant boost in the latest International Cricket Council rankings after guiding his side to a historic Test victory over Pakistan. The triumph in Mirpur marked Bangladesh’s first-ever Test win against Pakistan, a result that has been widely celebrated as one of the nation’s notable red-ball achievements.

Shanto played a decisive role in the landmark victory, leading from the front with both bat and tactical awareness. In the first Test, he produced innings of 101 and 87, earning the Player of the Match award and reinforcing his growing stature as both a batter and captain. His all-round contribution has now been recognised in the updated ICC Test rankings, where he has climbed 16 places to joint 23rd among Test batters.

The Bangladesh skipper has also reached a career-best rating of 649 points, sharing the same tally with Pakistan’s Babar Azam, who missed the opening Test because of a knee injury.

Bangladesh’s batting unit enjoyed a collective rise in the rankings following the Mirpur success. Mominul Haque, who scored 91 and 56 in the two innings, moved up 12 places to 35th in the Test batting rankings with 592 rating points. He also shared century partnerships with Shanto in both innings for the third wicket, laying the foundation for Bangladesh’s commanding position.

Veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim advanced two spots to 26th after contributing a valuable 71 in the first innings.

Bangladesh Players’ Latest ICC Test Rankings

Bangladesh’s bowlers also made notable gains. Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam climbed three places to 13th in the Test bowling rankings after taking four wickets in the match, while pace bowler Nahid Rana rose five spots to 64th following his impressive six-wicket haul, including a five-for in Pakistan’s second innings.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz retained his 27th position with 620 rating points after collecting six wickets across the match, underlining his importance in Bangladesh’s spin attack.

At the top of the global rankings, India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah continues to lead the Test bowling chart with 879 points, followed by Mitchell Starc, Matt Henry, and Pat Cummins.

In batting, Joe Root remains the world’s No. 1 Test batter with 880 points, while Harry Brook and Travis Head occupy second and third positions respectively.

The victory has also improved Bangladesh’s standing in the 2025–27 World Test Championship cycle. Before the Mirpur Test, Pakistan were ahead of Bangladesh in the table. However, Bangladesh’s 104-run victory lifted them two places to sixth, with a points percentage of 44.44. Pakistan slipped two spots to seventh with 33.33 percent.

Bangladesh will now aim to build on this momentum when the second Test begins in Sylhet on 16 May, with hopes of securing a historic series triumph over Pakistan.