July 9, 2025
Wiaan Mulder leapfrogs Babar Azam in ICC Test Batting Rankings


South Africa’s stand‑in Test captain Wiaan Mulder has surged up the latest ICC Men’s Test Batting Rankings into 22nd place, leapfrogging former Pakistan captain Babar Azam who now sits 23rd. Mulder’s remarkable rise comes after compiling an unbeaten 367 against Zimbabwe earlier this month, rocketing 34 places forward to reach 669 rating points, while Azam trails at 651 points .
Mulder’s innings not only set a personal record but also saw him claim the third spot in the ICC Test All‑Rounder Rankings, marking a 16-place jump after his stellar performance. For South Africa, this dazzling innings showcased his dual role as a potent weapon in both batting and bowling.
Notable Shifts in the Rankings
- Mulder's 367* secured him a top‑25 Test batting rank—now 22nd with 669 points.
- Babar Azam dropped to 23rd with 651 points.
- Among Pakistan’s Test batters, Saud Shakeel fell to 13th and Mohammad Rizwan to 21st.
- England’s Harry Brook moved to No. 1, pushing Joe Root to second, while New Zealand’s Kane Williamson held at third.
- India’s Shubman Gill surged 16 spots into the top 10 at sixth, following his 269 and 161 in the Edgbaston Test.
Mulder’s rise underscores his emergence as a top-tier all‑round talent—his 367* is the highest Test score by a South African captain and cements his status as one of the world’s most promising players.
Babar Azam’s decline reflects a dip in form in longer formats; while still strong in limited‑overs cricket, his Test ranking slide highlights inconsistency.
Rise of Gill and Brook bolsters the depth at the top tier, signalling increased competition for the very top positions.
Mulder will aim to build on this momentum in the remaining Test(s) against Zimbabwe and upcoming series, targeting further ascent in the batting and all‑rounder lists. Pakistan will be keen to see Babar regain form and solidify his place among the elite after this slip.
The top‑ranked positions are becoming increasingly contested—Brook, Root, Williamson, and Gill are all within striking distance of the No. 1 spot.
Mulder's record-breaking knock and sharp rise in the rankings is a major milestone—both for him personally and for South African Test cricket’s forward momentum. Let me know if you'd like expanded background on his innings or comparative analytics for these batters.
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