Pakistan slide to fifth in Test rankings

Pakistan has slipped two places to fifth position on the ICC Test Team Rankings after a 3-0 loss to Australia which culminated with a 220-run defeat in Sydney on Saturday.
The Misbah-ul-Haq-led side lost five points to finish with 97 points after the series, just one point ahead of New Zealand and Sri Lanka. It was the sixth consecutive Test loss for Pakistan including a 2-0 loss to New Zealand in a preceding series.
Pakistan, who had led the rankings last year following a 2-2 draw in England during a four-match series in July-August, were tied with South Africa on 102 points before the Australia series but were ahead on decimal points. South Africa and England (101) are now both ahead of Pakistan.
Australia has consolidated its second position, gaining four points and moving up to 109 points, 11 points behind India. But South Africa could bridge the gap as they look set to gain more points when the rankings are updated after their ongoing three-Test series against Sri Lanka which they lead 2-0.
South Africa could go up to 107 points with a 3-0 win and to 105 points if they win 2-0. Even if Sri Lanka win the last Test in Johannesburg next week, South Africa will gain two points to reach 104 points with a 2-1 series result.
ICC Test Team Rankings (as of 7 January 2017, after the Australia v Pakistan series)
Rank Team Points
1 India 120
2 Australia 109 ( 4)
3 South Africa 102
4 England 101
5 Pakistan 97 (-5)
6 New Zealand 96
7 Sri Lanka 96
8 West Indies 69
9 Bangladesh 65
10 Zimbabwe 05
Latest
-
News
Brendon McCullum: England can be the nation to reverse Test cricket’s fortunes
The former New Zealand captain has been appointed head coach of the England Test team.
-
News
Matthew Mott: Andrew Symonds came close to playing for England over Australia
The then-teenager was offered a place on the England A tour of Pakistan in 1995 after scoring four centuries for Gloucestershire.
-
News
Stephen Eskinazi stars in record-breaking Middlesex win over Gloucestershire
Paul Stirling made the first century of the Vitality Blast season for Birmingham Bears.
-
News
Ollie Robinson’s England hopes scuppered by back problem
The seamer was plagued by persistent back issues during the Ashes series and missed all three matches against the West Indies.
-
News
Justin Langer blames politics for Australia exit and laughs off England links
Langer was linked with one of the two vacant posts with England.
-
News
He deserves to be there – England’s Matthew Potts backed to shine in Test arena
Potts has received his first international call-up for the squad to face New Zealand at Lord’s on June 2.
-
News
On this day in 2015: Trevor Bayliss appointed England head coach
The Australian leapfrogged initial front-runner Jason Gillespie to replace the sacked Peter Moores.
-
News
Andrew Strauss sets five-year goal for England men’s side to rule all formats
The former England captain and director of cricket is overseeing a high performance review into English cricket.
-
News
Shane Warne to be remembered during England’s Test with New Zealand at Lord’s
The former player and TV pundit died aged 52 on March 4 after a suspected heart attack.
-
News
Sport moves fast – Ben Compton goes from relative unknown to England contention
The opener is averaging a spectacular 109.75 after amassing 878 LV= Insurance County Championship runs.