Abbas breaks into top three in Test bowling rankings

On the heels of becoming the joint second-fastest Pakistani to 50 Test wickets, fast bowler Mohammad Abbas has risen 11 places to No. 3 in the bowling rankings. That leaves only James Anderson (899 points) and Kagiso Rabada (882) ahead of him.

Abbas played a starring role in Pakistan's 1-0 series victory over Australia. He 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.

The 28-year old has only just started playing Test cricket. He made his debut in 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.

I see a new number 1 Test bowler coming... Mohammad Abbas

— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) October 19, 2018

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 this week.