ICC Rankings: SL players make significant gains

Sri Lankan players have also made significant gains in the latest ICC Test Player Rankings after securing a nail biting 21 run win over Pakistan in Abu Dhabi.

Captain Dinesh Chandimal gained 13 slots to reach 20th position in the rankings after scores of 155 not out and seven, opener Dimuth Karunaratne moved up five places to 26th place and Niroshan Dickwella moved up 20 places to take a career-best 41st position.

Meanwhile in the bowlers ranking, Dilruwan Perera, Nuwan Pradeep and Suranga Lakmal moved northwards. However Rangana Herath’s fine effort in the match helped him gain ranking points but did not result in him moving up the table. Herath, who achieved the milestone of 400 Test wickets with his 11-wicket match haul in Abu Dhabi, has gained 37 points to reach within six points of third-placed Ravichandran Ashwin of India.

Similarly, Pakistan leg-spinner Yasir Shah’s eight wickets in the Abu Dhabi Test have helped him only retain 15th place but his 715 rating points are the highest since December 2016. His compatriot Mohamad Abbas has gained three slots to reach 42nd position.

Among their batsmen, debutant Haris Sohail has entered the rankings at a creditable 71st position with scores of 76 and 34 while opener Shan Masood has gained six places to reach 105th position.