Sri Lankan cricketers have made significant improvements in the latest ICC Test player rankings update following their 2-0 victory over Bangladesh.
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Sri Lanka recently whitewashed Bangladesh in their own backyard, winning the two Tests by 328 and 192 runs respectively. Following their convincing victory, several of their players have risen in the ICC Test player rankings.
Kamindu Mendis shines with bat and ball, Mathews and fast bowling trio move up too
Kamindu Mendis was the breakout star of the series for Sri Lanka, with two centuries in the first Test and an unbeaten 92 in the second. With 367 runs, he finished as the highest scorer of the series and also took three wickets at an average of 10.66.
Mendis’ all-round show has helped him make rapid strides in all lists. He has climbed 18 places to 46th in the batters’ rankings, and is now the 117th-ranked bowler and the 59th-ranked all-rounder.
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Angelo Mathews also scored a fifty in the second innings of the second Test and jumped two places to 25th, while Kusal Mendis climbed three spots to 52nd following his 93 in the first innings of the second Test.
Among the bowlers, the Sri Lankan quicks, Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando, and Lahiru Kumara, all had good outings, which resulted in improvements in their rankings. Asitha moved up seven places to 27th, Vishwa two places to 41st, and Kumara two places to 46th.
Zakir, Mehidy, Mominul move up for Bangladesh
Left-handed opener Zakir scored a fifty in the first innings of the second Test and has jumped three places to 75th. Former captain Mominul Haque has moved up four spots to 46th and all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz has climbed 11 spots to 88th in the batters’ rankings after an unbeaten 81 in the second innings of the second Test.
Hasan Mahmud, who made his Test debut in the last match and took six wickets in the game, has entered the bowlers’ rankings and is ranked 95th.