Bangladesh ICC Test rankings surge after 2-0 sweep of Pakistan
Synopsis
Bangladesh's 2-0 home sweep of Pakistan has triggered one of the Tigers' biggest collective ranking surges in recent memory — Mushfiqur Rahim up 10 to joint 16th, Litton Das up 14 to 24th, and Taijul Islam at a career-best. It is a rankings statement that signals Bangladesh are no longer just WTC participants — they are becoming genuine contenders.
Key Takeaways
Bangladesh swept Pakistan 2-0 at home in a World Test Championship series, triggering major ICC rankings gains.
Mushfiqur Rahim climbed 10 places to joint 16th in ICC Test batting rankings after scoring 259 runs in the series.
Litton Das rose 14 spots to 24th in ICC Test batting after contributing 239 runs .
Taijul Islam reached a new career-best rating, moving to 11th in ICC Test bowling rankings.
Khurram Shahzad returned to ICC Test bowling rankings at 49th despite Pakistan's series loss.
In ODI rankings, Nepal , Scotland , and USA players also recorded gains after the ICC World Cup League 2 tri-series.
Bangladesh players registered significant gains in the latest ICC Men's Test Player Rankings following their commanding 2-0 series victory over Pakistan in the home series, which also counted toward the World Test Championship standings. The sweep has reshaped the rankings across batting, bowling, and all-rounder categories for multiple Tigers players.
Batting Gains for Bangladesh
Veteran right-hander Mushfiqur Rahim was the standout performer with the bat, accumulating a series-best 259 runs across four innings. His efforts propelled him 10 places up the ICC Test batting rankings to joint 16th — one of the biggest individual climbs in the updated list.
Fellow batter Litton Das also enjoyed a sharp rise, moving up 14 spots to 24th after contributing 239 runs during the series. The twin batting surges reflect Bangladesh's growing depth at the top of their Test order.
Bowling and All-Rounder Movements
Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam climbed two places to 11th in the ICC Test bowling rankings, simultaneously achieving a new career-best rating. Off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz moved up two spots to 25th, while fast bowler Nahid Rana made the most dramatic leap among the bowlers, jumping 10 places to 54th.
Taijul also gained three spots in the ICC Test all-rounder rankings, advancing to 29th. Notably, this is the first time in recent memory that Bangladesh has seen simultaneous career-best movements across both the batting and bowling departments in a single series update.
Pakistan's Silver Lining
Despite the 2-0 series defeat, Pakistan had one positive development: pacer Khurram Shahzad returned to the ICC Test bowling rankings at 49th position following his comeback appearance in the second Test in Sylhet.
ODI Rankings: Nepal, Scotland, USA Move Up
The ODI rankings also saw notable shifts after the completion of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 tri-series featuring Nepal, the United States, and Scotland. Nepal, who won three matches in the tri-series, saw wicketkeeper-batter Aasif Sheikh rise five spots to joint 81st in ODI batting, while all-rounder Dipendra Singh Airee moved up eight places to joint 91st.
Nepal bowlers Sandeep Lamichhane and Lalit Rajbanshi also registered gains, climbing to 32nd and joint 47th respectively in the ODI bowling rankings. Scotland all-rounder Brandon McMullen moved up four places to 49th in ODI batting, while USA spinner Nosthush Kenjige climbed 10 spots to 49th in ODI bowling and teammate Milind Kumar gained four places to reach joint 18th in the ODI all-rounder rankings.
With Bangladesh's WTC campaign gaining fresh momentum, the next set of rankings will be closely watched as the Tigers look to consolidate their standing in the global Test order.
Point of View
Something earlier Tiger generations rarely managed simultaneously. The Taijul career-best is particularly significant: Bangladesh's WTC prospects have historically depended on their spinners, and a top-11 bowling ranking validates that dependency as a genuine strength rather than a surface-aided quirk. The harder question is whether these gains hold on overseas tours, where Bangladesh's Test record remains inconsistent. Rankings built on home series can flatter; the real credibility test comes when the Tigers travel.
NationPress
13 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did Mushfiqur Rahim climb in the ICC Test batting rankings?
Mushfiqur Rahim climbed 10 places to joint 16th in the ICC Test batting rankings after scoring a series-best 259 runs across four innings against Pakistan.
What is Taijul Islam's new ICC Test bowling ranking?
Taijul Islam moved up two places to 11th in the ICC Test bowling rankings, also achieving a new career-best rating following Bangladesh's 2-0 series win over Pakistan.
How did the Bangladesh vs Pakistan series affect the World Test Championship?
The 2-0 series was part of the World Test Championship cycle, meaning Bangladesh earned WTC points from both victories, strengthening their position in the standings.
Which Pakistan player benefited despite the series loss?
Pacer Khurram Shahzad returned to the ICC Test bowling rankings at 49th position after his comeback appearance in the second Test in Sylhet, despite Pakistan losing the series 2-0.
Which teams featured in the ICC World Cup League 2 tri-series that affected ODI rankings?
The tri-series featured Nepal, the United States, and Scotland. Nepal won three matches, leading to ranking gains for several players across batting, bowling, and all-rounder categories.
