Breaking: Pakistan retains third position on ICC Test team rankings

ICC (Image Source: Google)

Aug 14, Dubai (CRICKETNMORE): Pakistan has remained in third position on the ICC Test Team Rankings but could rise to number-one depending on how the Colombo Test between Sri Lanka and Australia, and the fourth Test between the West Indies and India in Port of Spain pan out. Bhuvneshwar's five-for changed things for India Says Virat Kohli.
 
Following a 2-all series draw, both Pakistan and England have maintained their pre-series points of 111 and 108, respectively. However, if Sri Lanka beats Australia by 2-0 or better, then Australia will slip behind Pakistan, which would move to second.
 
Sri Lanka’s win by 2-0 or 3-0, coupled with a 2-0 or 2-1 win for India against the West Indies will give Pakistan the number-one ranking for the first time since the official rankings were introduced in 2003. The highest Pakistan has ever reached is second position following its series win over England in the United Arab Emirates last year.
 
However, if Steve Smith’s side wins the third Test, then it will join Pakistan on 111 points and will be ranked above Misbah-ul-Haq’s side when the points are calculated beyond the decimal point. This result plus West Indies’ win or draw in Port of Spain will mean Australia will return home as the number-one ranked Test side.
 
India undoubtedly has the best chance to finish on top as it has destiny in its own hands. It needs to win the Port of Spain Test to reclaim the number-one ranking which it had conceded to Australia following Australia’s 2-0 series win over New Zealand in February this year.
 
Scenarios:
 
Australia No.1 – Australia needs to win Colombo Test and West Indies needs to win or draw Port of Spain Test
 
India No.1 – India needs to win Port of Spain Test
 
Pakistan No.1 – Sri Lanka and West Indies need to win or draw Colombo and Port of Spain Tests, respectively

ICC Test Team Rankings (as on 14 August, after Zimbabwe-New Zealand and England-Pakistan series)
 
Rank Team              Points
1          Australia         118     
2          India                112
3          Pakistan          111 (-)
4          England           108 (-)
5          New Zealand   99 (+1)
6          South Africa   92
7          Sri Lanka        85
8          West Indies     65
9          Bangladesh     57
10        Zimbabwe       8 (-4)