Key Points

Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani has surged in the ICC Test rankings after his nine-wicket haul against Bangladesh. He becomes only the second Zimbabwean to cross the 700-point mark in Test cricket. Meanwhile, India's Jasprit Bumrah remains the top-ranked bowler. Bangladesh's Mominul Haque and Najmul Hossain Shanto also made gains in the batting rankings.

Key Points: Zimbabwe's Blessing Muzarabani Breaks 700-Point Barrier in ICC Test Rankings

  • Muzarabani claimed 9 wickets vs Bangladesh
  • Reached career-best 705 rating
  • Joins elite Zimbabwean bowlers
  • Bumrah retains top spot
2 min read

Zimbabwe fast bowler blessed with rapid rankings rise

Zimbabwe pacer Blessing Muzarabani climbs to 15th in ICC Test rankings after a match-winning performance against Bangladesh.

"Muzarabani is just the second Zimbabwean bowler to surpass 700 points in Test cricket. - ICC"

New Delhi, April 30

Zimbabwe quick Blessing Muzarabani has been the big winner following the latest update to the ICC Men's Test Player Rankings, as per the official website of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Muzarabani picked up nine wickets in a Player of the Match performance as Zimbabwe registered an impressive three-wicket triumph over Bangladesh in the first Test in Sylhet, and the tall right-armer rose up the bowling rankings as a result to reach a new career-best rating of 705 points.

He is just the second Zimbabwean bowler to surpass the 700-point barrier in Test cricket.

The 28-year-old pacer rises four places to move to 15th overall on the rankings list for Test bowlers, with India seamer Jasprit Bumrah still maintaining his spot at the head of proceedings.

Muzarabani's Zimbabwe teammate Wellington Masakadza re-enters the rankings for Test bowlers in equal 68th spot after five wickets against Bangladesh in his first Test appearance in more than two years, while there was some joy for the hosts as experienced spinner Mehidy Hasan gained four rungs to improve to 26th following his 10 scalps from the same match.

There are further gains for Bangladesh on the latest rankings for Test batters, with Mominul Haque, Jaker Ali and Najmul Hossain Shanto all making ground inside the top 100 following decent efforts against Zimbabwe.

Haque managed innings of 56 and 47 and improved five places to 48th overall, Ali jumped 10 spots to 50th following a half-century in the second innings of the Sylhet contest, while Shanto climbed four rungs to 53rd after knocks of 40 and 60.

The list for Test batters is still headed by England veteran Joe Root, with Brian Bennett the biggest mover from a Zimbabwe perspective as he climbs from outside the top 100 to joint 90th following a pair of half-centuries against Bangladesh.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
Great to see Zimbabwe cricket making a comeback! Muzarabani's performance was brilliant. Hope this inspires more African nations to compete strongly in Tests. Bumrah still our king though 🇮🇳🏏
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Priya M.
As an Indian cricket fan, I love seeing underdog teams perform well. Zimbabwe beating Bangladesh is good for cricket's diversity. But ICC should do more to help smaller nations - the gap between top teams and others is still too big.
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Arjun S.
Muzarabani's rise is impressive but let's be honest - Bangladesh's batting collapse was disappointing. They need to step up their game if they want to compete with top teams like India. Still, happy for Zimbabwe cricket!
S
Sneha R.
Zimbabwe's performance gives me hope for cricket's future! 🌍 More competitive matches please, not just India-Australia-England all the time. Also good to see Bumrah maintaining his top spot - our pace attack is world class now!
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Vikram J.
While Muzarabani did well, the real story is how Bangladesh keeps underperforming at home. They've got so much talent but can't seem to deliver consistently. Zimbabwe deserves credit for capitalizing on this.
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Neha P.
Cricket needs more stories like this! Zimbabwe's journey has been so tough with all their political issues. Hope they get more Test matches now. And yes, proud to see Bumrah leading the rankings as always 😊

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