Liton equals best ever ranking for Bangladeshi batter in Tests

Bangladesh batsman Liton DasAFP

Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batsman Liton Das on Wednesday jumped to No 12 in the ICC Test batting rankings, which is the best ever ranking for a Bangladeshi batsman in the format.

Liton made 73 against India in the second innings of the Dhaka Test, which nearly set the stage for Bangladesh’s first ever Test win over India.

But Ravichandran Ashwin and Shreyas Iyer broke Bangladeshi hearts with their 71-run partnership, which sealed a three-wicket win for the tourists.

India's Ravichandran Ashwin shares a light moment with Mehidy Hasan Miraz as Liton Das looks on
Shamsul Hoque

Liton’s innings wasn’t enough to earn a victory for Bangladesh, but it helped him jump two spots to No12 in the rankings.

However, this is not the first time Liton has ranked 12th in the Test batting rankings. In May earlier this year, he had reached 12th spot in the list after a Test against Sri Lanka.

Liton swapped places with Kohli in the rankings, who slipped down two spots to No 14.

Bangladesh’s best performers with the ball in the Dhaka Test, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam, also made positive moves in the Test bowling rankings.

Spinner Taijul Islam
File photo

Miraz, who took six wickets in the game, jumped three spots to No 29 while Taijul, who claimed four wickets, moved up two spots to No 28.

There were no changes in the top three of the Test batting, bowling and al-rounder rankings.

Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne, Pakistan captain Babar Azam and Australia’s Steve Smith occupy the first three spots in the Test batting rankings.

In the bowlers’ list, Australia captain Pat Cummins, England’s Jimmy Anderson and South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada are the top three names while India’s Ravindra Jadeja, Ashwin and Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan are first, second and third respectively in the all-rounder’s list.