lahore: Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Abbas has taken only 10 Tests to reach third place in the ICC Player Rankings for Test Bowlers after a stupendous 10-wicket match haul in Abu Dhabi helped his side defeat Australia by 373 runs. The 28-year-old has gained 11 slots to reach the top three and has also crossed 800 rating points, matching compatriot Yasir Shah and South Africa all-rounder Vernon Philander who also reached that threshold in 10 Tests. Three players who reached the 800-point mark in fewer Tests did so in the 19th century – England’s Tom Richardson (eight) matches in 1896, Australia’s Charlie Turner (nine) in 1892 and John Ferris (nine) in 1892, who turned out for both England and Australia. Abbas, who played a starring role in Pakistan’s 1-0 series victory over Australia, picked up 17 wickets at an average of 10.58, which is the best for any Pakistan bowler with 15 or more wickets in a series. More astoundingly, his career average of 15.64 is the best for any bower with 50-plus wickets in the last 100 years. Abbas has only just started playing Test cricket. He made his debut in April 2017 and 10 matches into his career he already has four five-wicket hauls. During the course of his match-winning 10 for 95 against Australia in Abu Dhabi, he was tipped by Dale Steyn to become the No. 1 bowler in the world. While that is yet to happen, Abbas, who worked in a leather factory, earning his livelihood through welding work and working as a helper in a law firm in Sialkot, might not find too many reasons to complain. He was named Man of the Match and Man of the Series after Pakistan recorded their biggest ever Test victory in terms of runs last week. Abbas, who started the series in 21st position, is the 10th Pakistan bowler to reach 800 rating points. Apart from Abbas and Yasir, the others to breach the 800-point barrier from Pakistan are Fazal Mahmood (16 Tests), Imran Khan and Wasim Akram (both 37), Waqar Younis (12), Mushtaq Ahmed (25), Shoaib Akhtar (29), Mohammad Asif and Saeed Ajmal (both 19). Pakistan off-spinner Bilal Asif is another bowler to gain in the latest update, advancing 17 slots to 52nd position, while Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed has gained 17 slots to reach 25th place among batsmen after his knocks of 94 and 81 in the second Test. Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman has entered the rankings in 68th position after scores of 94 and 66 on debut while Babar Azam (up nine places to a career-best 76th), Australia’s Aaron Finch (up 15 places to 59th), Mitchell Starc (up seven places to 89th) and Travis Head (up five places to 97th) are the others to advance among batsmen. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s 1-0 series win in the two-match series has helped them gain seven points in the ICC Test Team Rankings, coming within two points of sixth-placed Sri Lanka. On the other hand, Australia have slipped from third to fifth position. ICC Test Team Rankings Rank Team Points 1 India 116 2 South Africa 106 3 England 105 4 New Zealand 102 5 Australia 102 6 Sri Lanka 97 7 Pakistan 95 8 West Indies 76 9 Bangladesh 67 10 Zimbabwe 02 11 Afghanistan 00 12 Ireland 00 Published in Daily Times, October 22nd 2018.