Murali closes in all-time top bowling rating

DUBAI: Sri Lankan spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan's splendid nine-wicket haul against Bangladesh has pushed his tally to 916 points in the ICC Test bowlers rankings, only 16 points away from Sydney Barnes who tops the all-time list.

Muralitharan, the only contemporary bowler having more than 900 rating points, is now placed fourth behind Imran Khan of Pakistan (922 points) and England's George Lohmann (931).

Muralitharan leads the top Test bowlers chart as there were no changes in the order of the top 20 in the bowlers' chart.

Makhaya Ntini (856) of South Africa is at second position followed by India's Anil Kumble (730), compatriot Shaun Pollock (730) and New Zealander Shane Bond (722).

World Cup winning captain Ricky Ponting continues to lead the race of Test batsman with 936 points.

Pakistani Mohammad Yousuf is chasing him at 915 points followed by Kevin Pietersen (862), Mike Hussey (842) and Kumar Sangakkara (835)of Sri Lanka.

There are no changes in the top five of the all-rounders' rankings with Jacques Kallis of South Africa a the top followed by England's Andrew Flintoff and another South African, Shaun Pollock.