Mehidy Hasan breaks into top 20 in ICC Test rankings

Dubai: Bangladesh's off-spinner Mehidy Hasan achieved a career-high to break into the top 20 of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test Bowlers rankings on Monday.

After a stellar performance in the second Test against West Indies, which Bangladesh won by an innings and 184 runs, the 21-year-old leapfrogged Shakib Al Hasan (21st) and Taijul Islam (22nd) to secure the 16th position after his figures of seven for 58 and five for 59 provided him a lift of 14 places.

Mehidy, who featured in the U19 World Cup 2016 held in Bangladesh, started the series at the 28th position but had slipped to 30th after the Chittagong Test where he managed to scalp only three wickets.

Headed by Kagiso Rabada of South Africa, and followed by James Anderson of England and Pakistan's Mohammad Abbas, Mehidy is the only notable gainer in the bowling table.

Meanwhile, Shakib may have lost the status of being his side's highest-ranked bowler, but he has gained seven places to become Bangladesh's highest-ranked batsman. He scored 80 in his only innings, which has moved him from 28th to the 21st position, five places ahead of Mominul Haque, who has dropped two places to 26th position.

Mahmudullah has also vaulted 15 places to a career-high 48th position following his contribution of 136 runs in Bangladesh's total of 508 runs, while Mushfiqur Rahim plummeted seven places to settle at the 28th place.

On the other hand, there is no change to the top-20 batting list, which is headed by Indian skipper Virat Kohli followed by Steve Smith of Australia and Kane Williamson of New Zealand at second and third place respectively.

A 4-0 series win for Australia will move them into No.1 position in Test rankings; India need to draw one Test to retain top spot.

India are on 116 points, while Australia are on 102 points. This difference of 14 points means India are expected to win the series comfortably and their failure to do so will result in the Asian side losing points.