Pakistan climb to third place in Test rankings

KARACHI: Pakistan have not played a Test since the finale of their home series against England that they won by 127 runs in Sharjah last November.

But on the International Cricket Council (ICC) computer, instead of affecting their position the long sabbatical from the longest format of the game has helped Pakistan climb to number three in the international rankings.

According to the annual update released by the ICC on Tuesday, Pakistan are now just one point behind old rivals India in the world Test rankings.

The update favoured Pakistan, because their 2-0 loss to Sri Lanka in August 2014 was weighted at 50%. Their 0-3 Test series loss against South Africa in 2012-13 was dropped from the rankings calculations which also went in Pakistan’s favour.

The South Africans have dropped to No. 6 in the Test rankings while Australia have taken a six-point lead over second-placed India.

England and New Zealand benefited from South Africa’s drop, moving to fourth and fifth respectively. West Indies retained their eighth-place ranking but lead Bangladesh by only eight points.

South Africa and West Indies lost the most points in the update, 17 and 11 respectively. The calculation process dropped results from 2012-13, while outcomes from 2014-15 were weighted at 50%. Only the latest results had 100% weightage. As a result, South Africa’s series victories over England, Australia, New Zealand and Pakistan in 2012-13 were not factored in. They lost series to India and England and drew with Bangladesh in the 2015-16 season. West Indies had beaten New Zealand, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe in 2012-13 but lost to Australia and Sri Lanka in 2015-16.

In terms of points gained, Bangladesh made the most progress, getting ten points, followed by Australia, who gained six.

With Sri Lanka and Pakistan visiting England this summer for three and four Tests respectively, Australia traveling to Sri Lanka in July for three Tests and South Africa hosting New Zealand in August for two Tests, the series outcomes may well result in significant movements on the ICC Test Team Rankings.

Zimbabwe, ranked No. 10, have 12 points but were not included in the rankings table released by the ICC on Tuesday because they had not completed the required eight Tests in the new rating period. The ICC said Zimbabwe will be added to the table once they play two more Tests.

Updated ICC Test rankings:

1. Australia - 118 points (6 points gained)

2. India - 112 points (+2)

3. Pakistan - 111 points (+5)

4. England - 105 points (+3)

5. New Zealand - 98 points (+2)

6. South Africa - 92 points (-17)

7. Sri Lanka - 88 points (-1)

8. West Indies - 65 points (-11)

9. Bangladesh - 57 points (+10).