Pakistan can make major gains in ICC Test Rankings with a 3-0 victory over New Zealand

[Abdullah719]

The sport’s traditionalists will have one eye on Asia where seven of the world’s proud Test playing countries will not only try to establish their dominance over their respective rivals, but will also aim to improve their rankings in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s Test Team Rankings.

Bangladesh will play host to Zimbabwe and the Windies in a two-Test series each, England will travel to Galle for first of the three Tests against Sri Lanka, while the United Arab Emirates will be the stage for the three-Test series between Pakistan and New Zealand.

Virat Kohli’s India leads the Test team rankings, but only 11 points separate second-ranked South Africa from seventh-ranked Pakistan. This means there could be movement in the middle of the pack, depending on how the four series pans out.

Bangladesh can move ahead of the Windies in eighth place but to make that happen, they will have to win all the four Tests; England can rise to second, but will have to win the series; Sri Lanka can move ahead of fifth-placed Australia, but will have to win all the three Tests; New Zealand will rise to second irrespective of how Sri Lanka-England series ends if they sweep the three-Test series against Pakistan; while Pakistan can move ahead of Australia if they win 3-0.


The following are some permutations:

Bangladesh (67 points) v Zimbabwe (2 points)

· If Bangladesh beat Zimbabwe 2-0 - Bangladesh 68 points, Zimbabwe 0

· If series ends in a draw - Bangladesh 61 points, Zimbabwe 13 points


Bangladesh v the West Indies (76 points)

· If Bangladesh (68 points, following a 2-0 series win over Zimbabwe) beat the West Indies (76 points) 2-0, they will rise to 76 points while the West Indies will drop to 71 points

· If Bangladesh (68 points, following a 2-0 series win over Zimbabwe) draw with the West Indies, then Bangladesh will finish on 69 points while the West Indies will slip to 75 points


Sri Lanka (97 points) v England (105 points)

· If Sri Lanka beat England 3-0 - Sri Lanka (New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Australia will be on 102 points, Sri Lanka will ranked above Australia), England 100 points

· If Sri Lanka beat England 2-0 - Sri Lanka 101, England 101. England will be ranked above Sri Lanka

· If Sri Lanka beat England 2-1 or 1-0 – Sri Lanka 100, England (102, ahead of Australia by a fraction)

· If England beat Sri Lanka 3-0 – England 108 points (2nd), Sri Lanka 93 points

· If England beat Sri Lanka 2-0 – England 107 points (2nd), Sri Lanka 94 points

· If England beat Sri Lanka 2-1 or 1-0 – England 106 (2nd, ahead of SA by a fraction), Sri Lanka 95 points


Pakistan (95 points) v New Zealand (102 points) (team rankings will depend on how Sri Lanka-England series pans out as the Test table is updated at the end of a series)

· If Pakistan beat New Zealand 3-0 – Pakistan 103, New Zealand 94

· If Pakistan beat New Zealand 2-1 or 1-0 – Pakistan 99, New Zealand 98

· If Pakistan beat New Zealand 2-0 – Pakistan 101, New Zealand 96

· If New Zealand beat Pakistan 3-0 – New Zealand 109, Pakistan 89

· If New Zealand beat Pakistan 2-1 or 1-0 – New Zealand 105, Pakistan 92

· If New Zealand beat Pakistan 2-0 – New Zealand 107, Pakistan 90


Meanwhile, New Zealand captain Kane Williamson and James Anderson of England will be the highest-ranked Test batter and bowler, respectively, who will be in action in the ICC’s pinnacle format this month.

Williamson is presently ranked third in the MRF Tyres ICC Player Rankings for Test Batsmen, but England captain Joe Root is narrowly behind him in fourth position.

Dimuth Karunaratne of Sri Lanka is his side’s highest-ranked batsman in seventh position, Azhar Ali is Pakistan’s highest-ranked batsman in 15th spot, Mushfiqur Rahim is Bangladesh’s highest-ranked batsman in the absence of Shakib Al Hasan, while Brendan Taylor is Zimbabwe’s highest-ranked batsman in 46th position.

The Sri Lanka versus England series opener in Galle will be Rangana Herath’s 93rd and final Test. The left-arm spinner had made his debut at the same venue against Australia 19 years ago and will enter in his final Test as his side’s highest-ranked bowler in seventh place. With 430 wickets, he is his country’s second most successful bowler after Muttiah Muralidaran.

After his spectacular performance against Australia last month, Pakistan’s Mohammad Abbas will be the other bowler to watch-out for this month. He is currently ranked third in the MRF Tyres ICC Player Rankings for Test Bowlers, but given he is still in the qualification period for bowlers, it is likely that he will move even further up the ladder depending on how he performs in the series.

New Zealand’s Trent Boult is sitting in sixth place and he will try to move ahead of fifth-ranked Ravinda Jadeja, who is 17 points ahead.

Mehedi Hasan will enter the Sylhet Test as Bangladesh’s highest-ranked bowler in 35th position.

The Test player rankings will now be updated following the conclusion of the Galle Test.

Schedule of Test series in November:

Bangladesh v Zimbabwe

3-7 November – 1st Test, Sylhet

11-15 November – 2nd Test, Mirpur

Sri Lanka v England

6-10 November – 1st Test, Galle

14-18 November – 2nd Test, Pallekele

23-27 November – 3rd Test, SSC

Pakistan v New Zealand

16-20 November – 1st Test, Abu Dhabi

24-28 November – 2nd Test, Dubai

3-7 December – 3rd Test, Abu Dhabi

Bangladesh v West Indies

22-26 November – 1st Test, Chittagong

30 November – 4 December – 2nd Test, Mirpur


MRF Tyres ICC Men’s Test Team Rankings (as on 1 November):

RANK TEAM POINTS

1. India 116

2. South Africa 106

3. England 105

4. New Zealand 102

5. Australia 102

6. Sri Lanka 97

7. Pakistan 95

8. West Indies 76

9. Bangladesh 67

10. Zimbabwe 02

11. Afghanistan 00

12. Ireland 00

(Developed by David Kendix)


MRF Tyres ICC Men’s Player Rankings (As on 1 November):

BATSMEN (top 20)

Rank Player Team Points Avge Highest Rating

1 Virat Kohli Ind 935 54.57 937 v Eng at Southampton 2018

2 Steve Smith Aus 910 61.37 947 v SA at Durban 2018

3 Kane Williamson NZ 847 50.35 893 v Aus at Perth 2015

4 Joe Root Eng 835 51.04 917 v Aus at Trent Bridge 2015

5 David Warner Aus 803 48.20 880 v NZ at Perth 2015

6 C. Pujara Ind 765 49.54 888 v SL at Nagpur 2017

7 D. Karunaratne SL 754! 37.28 754 v SA at Colombo (SSC) 2018

8 D. Chandimal SL 733 44.96 755 v Win at St Lucia 2018

9 Dean Elgar SA 724 41.05 784 v Aus at Johannesburg 2018

10 Aiden Markram SA 703* 47.27 759 v Aus at Johannesburg 2018

11 Usman Khawaja Aus 699 43.83 747 v Pak at Sydney 2017

12 Ross Taylor NZ 697 47.22 871 v Win at Hamilton 2013

13 Hashim Amla SA 673 47.23 907 v Pak at Abu Dhabi 2013

14 Faf du Plessis SA 665 42.33 734 v Ind at Centurion 2018

15 Azhar Ali Pak 648 44.19 787 v Aus at Melbourne 2016

16 Kusal Mendis SL 641 36.78 693 v Win at St Lucia 2018

17 Jonny Bairstow Eng 637 37.19 772 v SA at Old Trafford 2017

18 Ajinkya Rahane Ind 633 41.40 825 v NZ at Indore 2016

19= Shakib Al Hasan Ban 632 39.69 694 v Aus at Mirpur 2017

Kraigg Brathwaite Win 632 36.54 701 v Eng at Headingley 2017


BOWLERS (top 20)

Rank Player Team Points Avge Highest Rating

1 James Anderson Eng 899 26.84 903 v Ind at Lord's 2018

2 Kagiso Rabada SA 882 21.71 902 v Aus at Port Elizabeth 2018

3 M. Abbas Pak 829*! 15.64 829 v Aus at Abu Dhabi 2018

4 Vernon Philander SA 826 21.54 912 v Ind at Johannesburg 2013

5 Ravindra Jadeja Ind 812 23.50 899 v Aus at Ranchi 2017

6 Trent Boult NZ 795 27.84 825 v Eng at Lord's 2015

7 Rangana Herath SL 791 27.95 867 v Zim at Harare 2016

8 Pat Cummins Aus 784* 23.81 800 v SA at Johannesburg 2018

9 R. Ashwin Ind 777 25.44 904 v Eng at Mumbai 2016

10 Jason Holder Win 766*! 28.50 766 v Ind at Hyderabad 2018

11 Neil Wagner NZ 765 28.26 785 v Win at Wellington 2017

12 Josh Hazlewood Aus 744 26.84 863 v Ind at Bengaluru 2017

13= Stuart Broad Eng 734 28.92 880 v SA at Johannesburg 2016

Shannon Gabriel Win 734 30.20 757 v Ban at Jamaica 2018

15 Tim Southee NZ 720 30.82 799 v Win at Jamaica 2014

16 Nathan Lyon Aus 706 32.21 774 v Eng at Adelaide 2017

17 Mitchell Starc Aus 693 28.52 805 v SA at Durban 2018

18 Keshav Maharaj SA 692* 27.65 695 v Zim at Port Elizabeth 2017

19 Shakib Al Hasan Ban 665 31.87 705 v Aus at Mirpur 2017

20 Kemar Roach Win 654 28.31 774 v SA at Centurion 2014


ALL-ROUNDERS (top five)

Rank Player Team Points Highest Rating

1 Shakib Al Hasan Ban 420 489 v Aus at Mirpur 2017

2 Ravindra Jadeja Ind 400 438 v SL at Colombo (SSC) 2017

3 Jason Holder Win 380 /* 381 v Ind at Hyderabad 2018

4 Vernon Philander SA 370 378 v SL at Galle 2018

5 R. Ashwin Ind 341 493 v Eng at Mohali 2016

*indicates provisional rating; a batsman qualifies for a full rating after playing 40 Test innings; a bowler qualifies for a full rating when he reaches 100 Test wickets.

!indicates career-highest rating

 

[Destroyer88]

How come the rankings on cricinfo still show 88 points for pakistan in tests??

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

I see no scenario in which Pakistan will beat NZ 3-0. I see 1-1. They are no Australia and even Australia saved a test.

 

[Amjid Javed]

No way pakistan is winning this test series 3-0, a test series win here itself would be an achievement.

 

[PakPremi]

I see no scenario in which Pakistan will beat NZ 3-0. I see 1-1. They are no Australia and even Australia saved a test.

Pak should win 2-1, though each victory will not be easy. Aus managed to draw a test due to Yasir returning from injury and Wahab's inability to take wickets. Hopefully, this time around we would select a better pacer.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Hard to see. NZ have a way of getting under Pakistan's skin, a bit like India.

They did exceptionally well the last time around.

Wait and see.

 

[IMMY69]

I back Pakistan to win this series 3-0.

Kiwis may just fluke a draw somewhere but likelihood is 3-0

 

[MMHS]

I think, we might cross WIN with a 1-0, but not sure. SRL should beat ENG in Test series, but 3-0 which might take them to 3 as well is unlikely!!!

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Some people are really underrating our team. Yes, New Zealand is miles ahead of Australia but their batting-order can be easily exposed if Pakistan get the wickets of Williamson, Taylor and Latham. On top of that, their spin-attack is pretty weak. Lyon is probably better then all three of their front-line spinners combined. And I don't see their pacers getting much help on these surfaces.

If Pakistan's top 5 can perform regularly through out the series I don't see us losing a single match.

 

[MMHS]

Some people are really underrating our team. Yes, New Zealand is miles ahead of Australia but their batting-order can be easily exposed if Pakistan get the wickets of Williamson, Taylor and Latham. On top of that, their spin-attack is pretty weak. Lyon is probably better then all three of their front-line spinners combined. And I don't see their pacers getting much help on these surfaces.

If Pakistan's top 5 can perform regularly through out the series I don't see us losing a single match.

I am not underestimating PAK at all - otherwise won't have said that AUS got away with 1-0. But be realistic - PAK got the chance to bat first in both Tests on such tracks and yet failed to win one. Last year, SRL won both tosses and they won both Test basically for one innings batting - 1st innings, batting first.

I don't see NZ having much chance batting 2nd here, but if they win 2 out of 3 tosses, I expect them to win one Test. One main reason is the scoring rate - batting first you can take 170 overs to post 450, but once you are facing 400+ total in 1st innings, 2.56 RR hardly helps to recover the deficit.

 

[MenInG]

3-0 looks unlikely

 

[Ozeirk]

Mohammed Abbas and Yasir shah will wreack havok in newzealand ranks. With Babar Azam finding form in tests and Azhar Ali and Asad shafiq having the opportunity to practice after a long layoff from international cricket we will see Pakistan dominate this test series.

 

[the Great Khan]

1-1 looks more likely. They have a good bowling attack and could even get a 2-1. If we can get williamson and latham cheaply then we should be able to dominate but again, watching how Khwaja hung in there, proves overseas teams can get results in the UAE..

 

[AFM]

If we win the first 2, I would send the whole squad to SA earlier. Play an A team in the 3rd Test to test the bench.

 

[Syed1]

Same people who are predicting a Kiwi win were predicting a Kiwi whitewash in the ODIs especially after the first ODI.


For the experts on here I would recommend to have a little sabar and tahammul, lest you want another slap on your face just like the ODIs and the T20s before that.

 

[shaaik]

3-0 looks unlikely

very likely ...

 

[Plumb]

Every time We have this "gaining position in rankings" thread things go sideways

 

[Nasty Naz]

I'm predicting Pakistan to whitewash NZ 3-0. Their spin options are really poor and unless Boult runs through the lineup, I think Pakistan have the batting and bowling to beat them.

Considering the amount of RH bats NZ have, it doesn't make much sense that a LH spinner wasn't selected though.

 

[rhony]

2-1 to Pakistan. Kiwis have a better team than Aussies

 

[Usman Chadda]

Kiwis will be tougher competition compared to the Aussies, but Pakistan has the tools to win in a comprehensive manner. However, Pakistan being Pakistan can never inflict a whitewash and I see the Kiwis either drawing or winning a Test here.

If Pakistan is to dominate this Test series, Yasir has to turn up. I see he has slipped out of the top 20 bowlers rankings

 

[Heisenberg111]

Kiwis will be tougher competition compared to the Aussies, but Pakistan has the tools to win in a comprehensive manner. However, Pakistan being Pakistan can never inflict a whitewash and I see the Kiwis either drawing or winning a Test here.

If Pakistan is to dominate this Test series, Yasir has to turn up. I see he has slipped out of the top 20 bowlers rankings

well he has only played 2 tests in last year and a half, thats why.

 

[Mirpur express]

Thought Yasir Shah would be amongst the top 20

 

[Usman Chadda]

well he has only played 2 tests in last year and a half, thats why.

He was below par against Australia. Needs to revv it up and bowl at his best in the coming two series. A convincing win against NZ will give some much needed confidence to the team for the South African tour.

 

[hussain.r97]

Last time it was 1-1, back then, they still had McCullum, and we still had Misbah and Younis.

Should be a hard fought series, not expecting 3-0 at all. I'd say 2-1 to Pakistan, or possibly 1-1.

 

[gazza619]

I would be utterly dissappointed at anything less than 3-0 or 2-0 in favour of Pak.

 

[KingKhanWC]

3-0 is well on here. The toss will go some way to deciding this. I think Pakistan can win even batting second but 3-0 batting second in all 3 tests is unlikely.

When NZ toured the UAE and drew 1-1 McCullum was a major factor with his captaincy, Williamson isnt as bold which will allow Pak to relax.

Abbas will be the key in any whitewash scenario.

 

[Bob Marley]

2-1 to Pakistan is possible provided baters take responsibility and bowlers are selected thoughtfully. Sarfraz need to attack all the time. Sarfaraz's bating will be key to the balance.

 

[Saj]

I think NZ will be much tougher opponents than Australia were. NZ's pace bowlers are good enough to rattle Pakistan's batting, but I still fancy Pakistan to win the series.

 

[gazza619]

I think NZ will be much tougher opponents than Australia were. NZ's pace bowlers are good enough to rattle Pakistan's batting, but I still fancy Pakistan to win the series.

Yeah the black cap’s fielding is also much superior as compared to the aussies meaning there will be almost no drop catches.

 

[Bewal Express]

The chances are that if we win the toss, we will win or draw but if we bat 2nd, it is more likely that we will lose.

 

[CricketDon]

Honestly hand on heart I hope we win 3-0 against New Zealand and up our ranking. Would be nice to see Pakistan ranked highly in test cricket.

 

[New Yorker]

Pak should win 2-1, though each victory will not be easy. Aus managed to draw a test due to Yasir returning from injury and Wahab's inability to take wickets. Hopefully, this time around we would select a better pacer.

Hopefully this time we will select a proper second spinner. It. is. the UAE.

 

[Abid Z]

I think Pakistan will win 2-0 with a draw somewhere. 12-18 months on from where we were after misbah and younis retired and we were beaten by Sri Lanka I think we now have a more settled look to the line up. Slowly steadily we can grind out wins if we can not lose wickets in the first session.

 

[Syed1]

Same people who are predicting a Kiwi win were predicting a Kiwi whitewash in the ODIs especially after the first ODI.


For the experts on here I would recommend to have a little sabar and tahammul, lest you want another slap on your face just like the ODIs and the T20s before that.

What did I say?

 

[szrana007]

What did I say?

Isn't it too early to gloat ?

 

[Chief Destroyer]

The ranking are irrelevant and pointless atm. I'd rather we focus on improving each game and becoming an all conditions team.

 

[szrana007]

Isn't it too early to gloat ?

Just like I said, hold your horses.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

The thread title should be changed to ‘Pakistan can make a major loss in the icc rankings with a 3-0 series defeat against New Zealand’

 

[Ab Fan]

2-1 Pakistan. NZ will make a comeback next test.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

If we win this then should win 3-0. Apart from Boult NZ bowling is harmless. Yasir is back.

Our Test team looks good. Fakhar in place of Hafeez for SA.

 

[CricVet]

2-0 will make us jump 2 places I guess. 3-0 will be awesome - A perfect revenge.

 

[CricVet]

If we win the first 2, I would send the whole squad to SA earlier. Play an A team in the 3rd Test to test the bench.

That's a rad idea but PCB hardly ever does it. I am actually in favor of playing Zimbabwe for a 4 day warm up as well instead of wasting time in UAE. I am sure Zim would love that if they are free. Zim pitches are going to prepare us way better than UAE.

 

[Mamoon]

It will be great to climb to number 3, but we all know it will not mean anything because we will come crashing down after the inevitable whitewash in South Africa.

Pretty much like how our number one ranking went south in 2016-2017.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

The results after SA tour will give us a better picture.

4-2 and i will be happy.

5-1, that will be supreme.

 

[Usman Chadda]

It will be great to climb to number 3, but we all know it will not mean anything because we will come crashing down after the inevitable whitewash in South Africa.

Pretty much like how our number one ranking went south in 2016-2017.

With Abbas in the ranks, we have a good chance of nicking a Test

 

[Mamoon]

With Abbas in the ranks, we have a good chance of nicking a Test

I really don’t see our batting holding up against their attack, especially if the pitches are similar to the ones they dished out for India.

 

[AFM]

That's a rad idea but PCB hardly ever does it. I am actually in favor of playing Zimbabwe for a 4 day warm up as well instead of wasting time in UAE. I am sure Zim would love that if they are free. Zim pitches are going to prepare us way better than UAE.

They've only announced the squads for the first 2 Tests. Mickey knows SA conditions very well and knows exactly how to prepare for them. It might be that he might be thinking along the same lines.

 

[Usman Chadda]

I really don’t see our batting holding up against their attack, especially if the pitches are similar to the ones they dished out for India.

I doubt SA will prepare such tracks, since they don't have a maverick like ABD anymore. But yeah if they do, and we have play the current batting line-up, expect a few sub-100 scores

 

[Napa]

According to the ICC rankings predictors, if other series go the right way, then Pakistan could return to the #1 spot in Tests if they beat SA 3-0.

 

[Usman Chadda]

According to the ICC rankings predictors, if other series go the right way, then Pakistan could return to the #1 spot in Tests if they beat SA 3-0.

View attachment 85680

Lol Pakistan is never beating South Africa 3-0 in South Africa. Will be one of the biggest upsets in cricket history

 

[Arsalan Pro]

The results after SA tour will give us a better picture.

4-2 and i will be happy.

5-1, that will be supreme.

And if 6-0?

 

[PakPremi]

Let's win this series first then we can see what shape Pak is in. Pak will need Azhar Ali to come back in good form or be replaced by SaadAli and replace Hafeez with Fakhar.

 

[Square Drive]

The thread title should be changed to ‘Pakistan can make a major loss in the icc rankings with a 3-0 series defeat against New Zealand’

I know right. We are so bad.

 

[gazza619]

It will be great to climb to number 3, but we all know it will not mean anything because we will come crashing down after the inevitable whitewash in South Africa.

Pretty much like how our number one ranking went south in 2016-2017.

I think the team has the ability to win at least 1 of the 3 tests. If luck favours us we might even draw 1-1.

We have a decent bunch and our fielders dont drop dollies anymore like they once used to.

 

[Ab Fan]

SA are still no. 2 even after the thrasing by a 7th ranked SL team, wow!

 

[Ozeirk]

I really don’t see our batting holding up against their attack, especially if the pitches are similar to the ones they dished out for India.

Teams are more careful preparing those types of tracks against Pakistan as Pakistan pace attack is usually superior to any Asian team that visits. If they do, they will be doing that at their own risk. Imagine what shaheen Afridi, Abbas, Amir and Hassan will do if the scenario happens.

 

[Napa]

Lol Pakistan is never beating South Africa 3-0 in South Africa. Will be one of the biggest upsets in cricket history

It probably won't, but my point was that the rankings are volatile enough for it to be possible that #7 moves to #1 in a matter of months.

 

[Saj]

According to the ICC rankings predictors, if other series go the right way, then Pakistan could return to the #1 spot in Tests if they beat SA 3-0.

View attachment 85680

One step at a time. Let's deal with NZ first.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

And if 6-0?

Mithaye to ppers from my side

 

[Hasan123]

Winning this series 3-0 won't be easy but would be some progress.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

I know right. We are so bad.

I hope you weren’t being sarcastic.

 

[rudra]

Now Whats the way forward to no.1 ranking?

 

[Mamoon]

I think the team has the ability to win at least 1 of the 3 tests. If luck favours us we might even draw 1-1.

We have a decent bunch and our fielders dont drop dollies anymore like they once used to.

Teams are more careful preparing those types of tracks against Pakistan as Pakistan pace attack is usually superior to any Asian team that visits. If they do, they will be doing that at their own risk. Imagine what shaheen Afridi, Abbas, Amir and Hassan will do if the scenario happens.

Let’s get real. Regardless of the pitches, we will be blanked 3-0. Our batting is a circus.

 

[Amjid Javed]

I cant see pakistan beating new zealand now being 1-0 down, if we get a win and a draw in next two tests it will be an achievement in itself.

 

[MMHS]

I am not underestimating PAK at all - otherwise won't have said that AUS got away with 1-0. But be realistic - PAK got the chance to bat first in both Tests on such tracks and yet failed to win one. Last year, SRL won both tosses and they won both Test basically for one innings batting - 1st innings, batting first.

I don't see NZ having much chance batting 2nd here, but if they win 2 out of 3 tosses, I expect them to win one Test. One main reason is the scoring rate - batting first you can take 170 overs to post 450, but once you are facing 400+ total in 1st innings, 2.56 RR hardly helps to recover the deficit.

Looks like 2 out of 2 worked perfectly for Kiwis.

 

[Mp812]

Kiwis won the series in UAE against Pakistan 2-1. Thats historic fort breaching.

 

[AlizeeFan]

Looks like 2 out of 2 worked perfectly for Kiwis.

How about SL winning against Eng prediction? 1-0 win to Pakistan didn't happen thanks to tosses.

 

[MMHS]

How about SL winning against Eng prediction? 1-0 win to Pakistan didn't happen thanks to tosses.

They also lost 3 tosses and lost last 2 Test quite close. Still, looks like did enough to leap frog PAK in ranking table.

 

[AlizeeFan]

They also lost 3 tosses and lost last 2 Test quite close. Still, looks like did enough to leap frog PAK in ranking table.

Pakistan lost to a team which was closer to them in rating and rankings, SL lost to higher rated team. That's why they are still somehow ahead of Pakistani team.