Pakistan demoted to sixth spot in ICC Test rankings

Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor (L) and Pakistan captain Misbah Ul Haq (R) share the series trophy on September 14, 2013 during the fifth day of the second Test against Pakistan at the Harare Sports Club.

Pakistan have dropped to sixth spot in the latest ICC Test rankings as a result of a surprising 24-run defeat at the hands of Zimbabwe in the recently-concluded Test match at Harare.

Prior to this loss, Pakistan, helped by England’s thrashing of Australia 3-0 in the 2013 Ashes series, had reached the fourth spot.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe, on their return to Test cricket in August 2011, managed to reach the ninth spot as Bangladesh, adrift by 24 points, languish at the bottom of the table. Zimbabwe’s rating has been heavily boosted by a victory against Pakistan, a team ranked in top 5, that helped them level the series 1-1.

Not much has changed at the top with South Africa holding onto the first position, 19 points ahead of England and India. Australia and West Indies are at 4th and 5th position respectively.