Pakistan’s rising star Saud Shakeel has made an impressive jump to sixth place in the latest ICC Men’s Test Batter Rankings, cementing his place among the elite players in world cricket.

Pakistan's middle-order batter Saud Shakeel made notable progress in the latest ICC Test rankings, while several Pakistani cricketers took a step backwards.

Shakeel's impressive 84-run knock in the second innings of the first Test against South Africa saw him jump three places, from ninth to sixth with 764 rating points.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has released its latest Test player rankings, showing notable shifts among the top players. England's Joe Root retains the top spot, followed by Harry Brook in second and New Zealand's Kane Williamson in third. India's Yashasvi Jaiswal has climbed to fourth place, gaining one place, while Australia's Travis Head has dropped to fifth.

Former captain Babar Azam has dropped two places to 17th, while wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan has also dropped two places to 21st. Salman Ali Agha has seen the biggest drop among Pakistani players, falling five places to 23rd.

In the bowling rankings, Pakistan spinner Noman Ali slipped to ninth place with 751 rating points, while pace bowler Shaheen Afridi dropped to 18th place with 661 points.

Mohammad Abbas, who returned to international cricket with a six-wicket haul against South Africa, has secured 23rd place.

Pace sensation Naseem Shah climbed six places to 33rd, while Hasan Ali and Sajid Khan dropped to 40th and 41st respectively. Khurram Shahzad moved up one place to 57th, while Abrar Ahmed slipped three places to 59th.

India's Jasprit Bumrah continues to lead the Test bowlers' rankings. Josh Hazlewood replaced Kagiso Rabada as the new second-best Test bowler, while Australian captain Pat Cummins follows him in third place.