Kevin makes impressive entry

DUBAI: Kevin O’Brien made the second best start in terms of rating points for batsmen from sides playing their first Test and the best by a batsman from a debutant side since the first ever Test 141 years ago, after a remarkable performance aga-inst Pakistan at Malahide in Dublin helped Ireland put up a resilient display.

The 34-year-old all-rounder produced a knock of 40 in the first innings and a valiant 118 in the second to help Ireland fight back after they were asked to follow-on, eventually losing by five wickets.

Kevin O’Brien’s 158 runs in the match helped him to enter the ICC Test player rankings in 66th place with a rating of 440 points.Fast bowler Tim Murtagh has also made a fine start, entering in 67th position among bowlers after a match haul of six for 100, while all-rounder Stuart Thompson has made notable starts in both lists, ranked 125th among batsmen and 88th among bowlers.

As for Pakistan’s debutants, all-rounder Faheem Ashraf and left-handed opener Imamul Haq entered the rankings at 81st and 113th positions, respectively, in the list for batsmen. Faheem scored 83 in the first innings at Malahide while Imam had scores of seven and 74 not out.

Pace bowlers Mohammad Abbas and Mohammad Amir have moved up the ladder with Abbas gaining eight slots to reach a career-best 29th position and Amir advancing two places to 37th position. Abbas finished with nine for 110 in the match while Amir took five for 72.

In the Test team rankings, Pakistan have gained one point after victory in the one-off Test. They remain in seventh position with 87 points while Ireland, who will get a proper ranking only after eight Test matches, have yet to take their first points.

Team rankings: 1. India 125 point; 2. South Africa 112; 3. Australia 106; 4. New Zealand 102; 5. England 98; 6. Sri Lanka 94; 7. Pakistan 87; 8. Bangladesh 75; 9. Windies 67; 10. Zimbabwe 2.

Batsmen (top 10): 1. Steve Smith (Aus) 929; 2. Virat Kohli (Ind) 912; 3. Joe Root (Eng) 867; 4. Kane Williamson (NZ) 847; 5. David Warner (Aus) 820; 6. AB de Villiers (SA) 813; 7. C. Pujara (Ind) 810; 8. Dean Elgar (SA) 784; 9. Aiden Markram (SA) 759; 10. Hashim Amla (SA) 726; 66. Kevin O’Brien (Ire) 440; 81. Faheem Ashraf (Pak) 392; 100. Babar Azam (Pak) 321; 113. Imamul Haq (Pak) 274.

Bowlers (top 10): 1. Kagiso Rabada (SA) 897; 2. James Anderson (Eng) 891; 3. Vernon Philander (SA) 845; 4. Ravindra Jadeja (Ind) 844; 5. R. Ashwin (Ind) 803; 6. Morne Morkel (SA) 800; 7. Pat Cummins (Aus) 800; 8. Trent Boult (NZ) 795; 9. Rangana Herath (SL) 777; 10. Neil Wagner (NZ) 765; 29. Mohammad Abbas (Pak) 539; 37. Mohammad Amir (Pak) 453; 67. Tim Murtagh (Ire) 221; 88. S. Thompson (Ire) 135; 104. Shadab Khan (Pak) 73.

All-rounders (top five): 1 S Al Hasan (Ban) 421 points; 2. R Jadeja (Ind) 391; 3. V Philander (SA) 372; 4. R Ashwin (Ind) 368; 5. Ben Stokes (Eng) 329.