Pakistan climb 4th in ICC Test rankings
The new rankings, released by the ICC yesterday, reflect all Test series completed since August 2009 with results from the previous year having dropped off. Over the next 12 months, new results will be added to the table as they happen so that by July 2013 there will be four years of results taken into consideration.
Pakistan have lost just five Tests in the last two years – including three in the infamous 2010 series against England – and the series-loss against Sri Lanka was the first under Misbhaul Haq’s tenure as captain.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s chances of replacing England as number one after their forthcoming three- Test series became more difficult. The South Africans slipped to third in the list – Australia replacing them in second – and dropped to nine points off England from just a point adrift.
The Proteas slipped down because their series victories in England and Australia four years ago were no longer valid to the rankings. A 1-0 or 2-1 defeat to South Africa would see the victors go level on points with England, but above them by a decimal fraction.
Should England either draw or win, though, they will stay on top – and if they were to whitewash the tourists, South Africa would drop to fourth.
PCN Staff Editor
