DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (CMC) — Sri Lankan Kumar Sangakkara has knocked veteran West Indies left-hander Shiv Chanderpaul off the top of the International Cricket Council's Test batting rankings.

In the latest rankings released on Thursday, Sangakkara had crept ahead of Chanderpaul to move to 892 ratings points.

Chanderpaul is 36 points adrift in second with South African AB de Villiers in third on 821 points.

Sangakkara struck a superb 192 in the drawn second Test against Pakistan in Colombo to earn 42 points.

Chanderpaul, however, will have the opportunity to gain ground on Sangakkara when he faces New Zealand in a two-Test series in the Caribbean starting later this month.

West Indies face the Black Caps in the first Test in Antigua starting July 25 before travelling to Jamaica for the second Test which bowls off August 2.

Meanwhile, fast bowler Kemar Roach remains unmoved at 16th in the bowlers rankings to be the highest placed West Indies player.

South African speedster Dale Steyn continues as the number one ranked bowler.