Latest ICC Test Rankings: Pakistan drop down to fourth after NZ whitewash

Pakistani players look dejected after collapsing to an abject loss in Hamilton

Following their 0-2 whitewash at the hands of New Zealand in the recently completed series, Pakistan have slipped to fourth in the latest Test rankings released by ICC. India retain their number one position with England and Australia completing the top three.

Pakistan, who had entered into the series with 109 rating points, dropped as many as seven points due to the series loss. They were defeated by eight wickets in the first Test at Christchurch and subsequently succumbed to a 138-run loss at Hamilton. On the other hand, New Zealand have gained five points from the series victory to move to 96 points and shade Sri Lanka on decimal points for the sixth position.

After a remarkable 2-1 series victory on Australian soil, South Africa find themselves at fifth with 102 points. Though Pakistan are also at 102 points, they lead the Proteas on decimal points.

Interestingly, England and Australia are also separated by decimal points. The former, who currently trail India 0-2 in the 5-match series, are just ahead of Steven Smith’s side at second spot.

Meanwhile, India have already opened up a significant 10-point lead at the top of the table and could extend that even further depending on how they go on to complete the England series.

At the rear end of the table, West Indies lead ninth-ranked Bangladesh by only four points even as Zimbabwe continue to languish at the bottom with a meagre five points to their name.

It is pertinent to note that both home and away matches carry equal weight in ICC’s team rankings with the major tipping point being the difference in rating points between the two teams at any given stage of sparring.

The rankings could fluctuate even more in the coming weeks with a packed international schedule lined up. While Pakistan visit Australia for a 3-match series shortly, South Africa host Sri Lanka for a 3-match series and New Zealand take on Bangladesh for a 2-match series.

You can put on the predictor’s hat and find out how the rankings change by simulating the results of the upcoming series at ICC’s official website.

                    Latest ICC Test Rankings (*as of 29^th November, 2016)

Rank	Team	Matches	Points	Rating
1	India	29	3328	115
2	England	44	4631	105
3	Australia	40	4189	105
4	Pakistan	32	3274	102
5	South Africa	29	2944	102
6	New Zealand	38	3666	96
7	Sri Lanka	35	3370	96
8	West Indies	30	2077	69
9	Bangladesh	15	978	65
10	Zimbabwe	10	48	5