Root returns to world No.1

Joe Root has resumed the title of the world's No.1 ranked Test batsman, after the Englishman's twin fifties in England's defeat to Pakistan propelled him to the top of the International Cricket Council's rankings.

Root, who sat second on the rankings table prior to his 88 and 71 in Dubai, has moved above Australia captain Steve Smith, who missed the chance to extend his No.1 ranking when Australia's two-Test tour of Bangladesh was postponed.

Root is now three points ahead of Smith, continuing the ongoing battle between the two star batsmen for the title of world's best batsman – Smith displaced Root after the fifth Ashes Test, after Root had usurped Smith following the fourth Test in Trent Bridge.

Root was England's best batsman in the second Test, following his scores of 88 and 33 not out from the first Test in Abu Dhabi.

He is the first Englishman to top the batting rankings since Michael Vaughan touched the No.1 spot briefly after Sydney Test of the 2002-03 Ashes where he scored 183.

Root, who has scored eight centuries and averages 56.79 after 34 Tests, currently sits on 913 rankings points, three ahead of Smith, who will have an opportunity to snatch back the No.1 ranking during next month's Commonwealth Bank Test series against New Zealand.

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Yasir Shah is mobbed after taking England's final wicket in Dubai // Getty

Meanwhile Pakistan wrist spinner Yasir Shah became the second highest-ranked Test bowler after his match figures of 8-180 in Pakistan 178-run win, moving ahead of the pace trio of England’s James Anderson and Stuart Broad, and New Zealand’s Trent Boult.

Pakistan batsman Younus Khan, captain Misbah-ul-Haq and Asad Shafiq have also reaped the rewards of good performances in the Dubai Test.

Younus returned to the top five following knocks of 56 and 118, Misbah moved up five places to 11th after his 102 and 87, while Asad Shafiq earned a career-high ranking of 12th after he scored 83 and 87.

Given that Yasir is still in the qualification period for bowlers, it is likely that he will be able to further reduce the 78-point gap with world number-one Dale Steyn if he puts up another solid show in the Sharjah Test.

Sri Lanka's second Test win over West Indies also caused movement in the rankings, with Sri Lanka bowler Dhammika Prasad moving four places to a career-high 15th position following match figures of 5-72.

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