Pakistan slips to fourth in ICC Test team rankings after 2-0 series loss to New Zealand

[Abdullah719]

Pakistan has slipped from second to fourth position in the MRF Tyres ICC Test Team Rankings after its 2-0 loss to New Zealand in their two-match series which culminated with a 138-run verdict in Hamilton on Tuesday.

Pakistan, which went into the series with 109 points in the team rankings led by India (115), is now on 102 points and tied with South Africa but ahead on decimal points. England and Australia are both on 105 points with England ahead on decimal points.

Pakistan was top-ranked as recently as last month before India overtook it in the first week of October during a home series against New Zealand which it won 3-0. India is now comfortably perched at the top as it has a 10-point lead over the rest of the pack.

New Zealand, which won the opening Test in Christchurch last week by eight wickets, has moved up one place to sixth position. The home side has gained five points to reach 96 points and is ahead of Sri Lanka on decimal points.

This means that the top seven sides in the rankings table are within 20 points of each other and six of them are within a range of 10 points.

 

[Shafi]

We are actually worse than that ideally 7 or 8

 

[jeetu]

Rank	Team	Matches	Points	Rating
1	India	29	3328	115
2	England	44	4631	105
3	Australia	40	4189	105
4	Pakistan	32	3274	102
5	South Africa	29	2944	102
6	New Zealand	38	3666	96
7	Sri Lanka	35	3370	96
8	West Indies	30	2077	69
9	Bangladesh	15	978	65
10	Zimbabwe	10	48	5

 

[Junaids]

Pakistan has slipped from second to fourth position in the MRF Tyres ICC Test Team Rankings after its 2-0 loss to New Zealand in their two-match series which culminated with a 138-run verdict in Hamilton on Tuesday.

Pakistan, which went into the series with 109 points in the team rankings led by India (115), is now on 102 points and tied with South Africa but ahead on decimal points. England and Australia are both on 105 points with England ahead on decimal points.

Pakistan was top-ranked as recently as last month before India overtook it in the first week of October during a home series against New Zealand which it won 3-0. India is now comfortably perched at the top as it has a 10-point lead over the rest of the pack.

New Zealand, which won the opening Test in Christchurch last week by eight wickets, has moved up one place to sixth position. The home side has gained five points to reach 96 points and is ahead of Sri Lanka on decimal points.

This means that the top seven sides in the rankings table are within 20 points of each other and six of them are within a range of 10 points.

And they would have been equal second if they had not lost 9 wickets after Tea today!

 

[Statsman]

And they would have been equal second if they had not lost 9 wickets after Tea today!

Only for 20 more days though. Australia is a bigger challenge in my opinion and the next test match starts in ~15 days.

 

[Shafi]

Another white wash is coming means Australia, NZ, SA and ENGLAND will be above us. Well done Mickey and Inzamam

 

[Junaids]

Another white wash is coming means Australia, NZ, SA and ENGLAND will be above us. Well done Mickey and Inzamam

Who did the scheduling? That's who I blame.

 

[Gilly]

Who did the scheduling? That's who I blame.

That will work if you don't want to look at the real reasons.

 

[Shafi]

Who did the scheduling? That's who I blame.

Regardless 4-5 players don't deserve in the team

 

[Junaids]

That will work if you don't want to look at the real reasons.

Oh trust me, I do.

In order:

1. Failure to pension off Misbah and Younis when they passed 40. Who picks players the wrong side of 40? Nobody. Except Pakistan. I'd bet my house that Sachin is still better than Younis and Misbah.
2. Failure to accept the reality that Asif and Butt are better than Imran or Sohail or batsmen aged 40+.
3. Failure to arrive in time to acclimatise.

 

[Gilly]

Oh trust me, I do.

In order:

1. Failure to pension off Misbah and Younis when they passed 40. Who picks players the wrong side of 40? Nobody. Except Pakistan. I'd bet my house that Sachin is still better than Younis and Misbah.
2. Failure to accept the reality that Asif and Butt are better than Imran or Sohail or batsmen aged 40+.
3. Failure to arrive in time to acclimatise.

You are in fairyland if you think that Asif would walk back into international cricket and be the bowler he was, its just not that simple, its easy to say but reality is a lot different.

 

[Cricfan4eva]

Its the same story with every team isn't it. I don't think its embarrassing for Pakistan but just embarrassing for the state of cricket atm.

No team can put their hand up and say, hey we are competitive away.


SA winning in Aus and Eng winning in SA is like India-Pak winning in SL. It's not a huge deal for em because they are all pace heavy team.

Last real success story for any team was England winning in India and South Africa winning in Sri Lanka.

 

[Zak_Fan]

I expect the ranking to fall further once this away cycle is completed.

 

[Zak_Fan]

Another white wash is coming means Australia, NZ, SA and ENGLAND will be above us. Well done Mickey and Inzamam

Not Mickey's fault that Pakistan have finally started playing away after a span of 5 years. Keep playing in UAE, and you will still be top-3.

 

[Abdullah719]

Not Mickey's fault that Pakistan have finally started playing away after a span of 5 years. Keep playing in UAE, and you will still be top-3.

Yes, England is in UAE.

 

[James]

England 2nd what a joke Surely we are 3rd or 4th at best.

India deservedly at 1.

 

[Buffet]

Its the same story with every team isn't it. I don't think its embarrassing for Pakistan but just embarrassing for the state of cricket atm.

No team can put their hand up and say, hey we are competitive away.


SA winning in Aus and Eng winning in SA is like India-Pak winning in SL. It's not a huge deal for em because they are all pace heavy team.

Last real success story for any team was England winning in India and South Africa winning in Sri Lanka.

Eh, we won in SL and drew in UAE. Now in Aus. So variety of conditions here. India in India is tough for any team to beat so you can't use that as benchmark.

Let's not paint everyone with the same picture.

 

[Mamoon]

5th/6th is the true reflection of this mediocre team.

 

[Zak_Fan]

Yes, England is in UAE.

It was a recent tour, wasn't it? Fans want Pakistan to stay top-3 like it did before. But they need to accept the reality that now with you guys touring tougher nations, ranking is bound to fall. It is not Mickey's or Inzi's fault.

 

[Buffet]

England 2nd what a joke Surely we are 3rd or 4th at best.

India deservedly at 1.

2-5 are clubbed together. Accounting for some margin of error, it's fine. In the next 12 months some separation may appear in this crowded 2-5 pack.

 

[Abdullah719]

It was a recent tour, wasn't it? Fans want Pakistan to stay top-3 like it did before. But they need to accept the reality that now with you guys touring tougher nations, ranking is bound to fall. It is not Mickey's or Inzi's fault.

Doesn't have to be any individual's fault. Discussing about lack of preparation is valid.

 

[Saeed]

Well deserved. They way we batted at the start and end doesn't reflect a number 2 team. Let's not even talk about the bowling.

 

[jeetu]

Ranking tend drastically change on one bad tour. There is no clear cut no.1 unless lead gets 25+.

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

Ind
Sa
Eng
Pak

Should be the rightful top 4 at the moment.

PS: I know we are playing at home right now and might lose once we step out. Let us enjoy it while it lasts

 

[Junaids]

You are in fairyland if you think that Asif would walk back into international cricket and be the bowler he was, its just not that simple, its easy to say but reality is a lot different.

I actually agree.

You pick him on the basis that he is the same pace and has the same accuracy and movement.

But you recognise that his workload has to be managed and that you need a fifth bowler to ensure this.

 

[Zak_Fan]

Ind
Sa
Eng
Pak

Should be the rightful top 4 at the moment.

PS: I know we are playing at home right now and might lose once we step out. Let us enjoy it while it lasts

Hardly any team matches the amount of tough series we play away, and we have always maintained our top-4 status despite that.

 

[Cricfan4eva]

Eh, we won in SL and drew in UAE. Now in Aus. So variety of conditions here. India in India is tough for any team to beat so you can't use that as benchmark.

Let's not paint everyone with the same picture.

I did mention that but when you won in SL, you were a pretty strong team after which your decline began. Drawing in UAE was way back again. And winning in Aus like I said isn't as great deal for SA as it is for SC teams. SA are used to bounce. And both teams bowling attack is pace oriented. So the better team will win, while when SC teams go there, we have to cope up a lot more than you lot because of vast difference in conditions.

During this decline and the team now getting used to playing without Steyn and AB/Amla who aren't the same force anymore, I don't think it will be easy for you in SL or UAE as well.

So yes, at this moment all teams find themselves out of their depth once they go out of their comfort zones.

 

[Cricfan4eva]

Hardly any team matches the amount of tough series we play away, and we have always maintained our top-4 status despite that.

We went down to 7 after 2011 and after 2014 also I believe we were 5-6

The thing is unlike other teams our schedule is planned in such a way that we are at home for good part of 18-24 months and then we get on the road for the next 18 months.

So our rise and fall, both are sharp

 

[Zak_Fan]

We went down to 7 after 2011 and after 2014 also I believe we were 5-6

The thing is unlike other teams our schedule is planned in such a way that we are at home for good part of 18-24 months and then we get on the road for the next 18 months.

So our rise and fall, both are sharp

That was a brief period and India jumped back up within weeks.

Take this year for example, we were ranked #1 in WI even before our home season started. Our relatively improved away performance has ensured that no matter what, we don't lose too many points, and that is enough to keep us top-3 quite consistently.

 

[Ami]

Lets celebrate...this was the first Pak team to reach no 1 status since the late 80s when Imran was at the helm.

Pakistan have built a decent team over the years that reached TOP...now lets hope we can discard Misbah and Younas quickly so that we can rebuild.

Sami, Azhar, Babar and Asad...just neec to more batters from somewhere...im assuming Sharjeel and Rizwan and Fawad are the ones who will be tried first.

When it comes to bowling, Yasir and Amir desperately need another decent back up...Wahab is not the answer. Him, along with Sohail, Imran, Rahat etc are ur typical 3rd seamers.

So may be a recall for Junaid or a newbie to partner Amir.

 

[ShoonyaSifar]

Eng should lose some points after the India series gets over, right? Or are the rankings updated after every test?

 

[Moh@n]

How are SA at 5 after an away series win in Australia?

 

[Ankit007]

How are SA at 5 after an away series win in Australia?

They had 96 points earlier and now 102....

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

Eng should lose some points after the India series gets over, right? Or are the rankings updated after every test?

After every series. Eng if they lose 0-3 or 0-4 will drop below Sa to #6 I believe.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Whichever team plays against india away from subcontinent first will benefit the most. They will gain so many points for beating india. Just like we did against south africa last year.

 

[Buffet]

Eng should lose some points after the India series gets over, right? Or are the rankings updated after every test?

Eng will lose points.

 

[jeetu]

India's probable Test Fixtures till 2020 (Subjected to change)

Australia tour of India 2017*
February - March 2017*
Matches: 4 Test*
Venue: India

World Test Championship 2017*
June 2017*
Matches: 3 Test*
Venue: England

India tour of Sri Lanka 2017*
July - September 2017*
Matches: 3 Test*
Venue: Sri Lanka

India tour of South Africa 2017-18*
November 2017 - January 2018*
Matches: 3 Test
Venue: South Africa

Pakistan tour of India 2018*
January - February 2018*
Matches: Unknown*
Venue: India

Sri Lanka tour of India 2018*
March - April 2018*
Matches: 3 Test
Venue: India

India tour of England 2018*
Jun - August 2018*
Matches: 5 Test
Venue: England


West Indies tour of India 2018*
October - November 2018*
Matches: 2 Test

India tour of Australia 2018-19*
November 2018 - January 2019*
Matches: 4 Test*
Venue: Australia

India tour of New Zealand 2019*
February - March 2019*
Matches: 3 Test
Venue: New Zealand

India tour of West Indies 2019*
May - September 2019*
Matches: 3 Test
Venue: West Indies


South Africa tour of India 2019*
October - December 2019*
Matches: 3 Test
Venue: India

New Zealand tour of India 2020
February 2020 *
Matches: 5 ODI and 1 T20*
Venue: India

India tour of Pakistan 2020*
March - April 2020*
Matches: Unknown*
Venue: Pakistan/UAE

 

[Boom boom legend]

I dont understand how England and Australia have gone above us at all. Its simply farcical.
Australia's last 2 series, they have lost away at Sri Lanka and home against South Africa.

England have drawn 1-1 against Bangladesh and are losing 2-0 against India.

We have beat west indies and lost New Zealand yet drop to fourth.

 

[JaDed]

I dont understand how England and Australia have gone above us at all. Its simply farcical.
Australia's last 2 series, they have lost away at Sri Lanka and home against South Africa.

England have drawn 1-1 against Bangladesh and are losing 2-0 against India.

We have beat west indies and lost New Zealand yet drop to fourth.

For one PCT lost a match against Windies which made them lose points also Kiwis are a 6th ranked team that blanked a #2 team 2-0, again making you lose more points.

England just started losing,lets see after this series to get a clear idea. Aus didn't go above PCT but somehow they haven't lost as many points as PCT which is weird considering they got tonked by Lanka 3-0

 

[Buffet]

I dont understand how England and Australia have gone above us at all. Its simply farcical.
Australia's last 2 series, they have lost away at Sri Lanka and home against South Africa.

England have drawn 1-1 against Bangladesh and are losing 2-0 against India.

We have beat west indies and lost New Zealand yet drop to fourth.

Eng-India series is not reflected in points yet. It come come after series is over.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

If India win 4-0 or even 3-0, Pakistan will go upto #3.

 

[Boom boom legend]

If India win 4-0 or even 3-0, Pakistan will go upto #3.

India should win 4-0 and we will beat Australia so we will go back to second.

 

[Nil Dhumrojal]

Hey,fans don't be alarmed or overwhelmed. It's a fact of current era that every team is a home track bully. All gain points playing home and looses playing in abroad. Even nowadays test minnow bangladesh also showing other big teams (esp ENG even SA,PAK) that what a home or away series means.Relax.It's become five year cycle of rising and decline in ranking.Chillax guys.

 

[JaDed]

Hey,fans don't be alarmed or overwhelmed. It's a fact of current era that every team is a home track bully. All gain points playing home and looses playing in abroad. Even nowadays test minnow bangladesh also showing other big teams (esp ENG even SA,PAK) that what a home or away series means.Relax.It's become five year cycle of rising and decline in ranking.Chillax guys.

Pak and India won in Lanka and Pak drew in England,England won in SA and SA won in Aus,India won in WI,NZ drew in Eng and UAE and Aus won away tours in NZ,Windies not sure if "abroad" is the right term.

Mostly out of comfort zone when other teams lost.

 

[Syed1]

Thank you Misbah, Misbah 2.0 and Inzi.

 

[Nil Dhumrojal]

Pak and India won in Lanka and Pak drew in England,England won in SA and SA won in Aus,India won in WI,NZ drew in Eng and UAE and Aus won away tours in NZ,Windies not sure if "abroad" is the right term.

Mostly out of comfort zone when other teams lost.

As I see
Pak,Ind in SL = comfort zone
Eng in SA= comfort zone
SA in Aus= comfort zone
NZ in Eng =comfort zone
AUS in NZ =comfort zone
Ind in WI = comfort zone

Pak in Eng was exceptional good.
And don't rate UAE pitch in any types.

I meant whenever any team goes out of comfort zone they decline.

 

[JaDed]

As I see
Pak,Ind in SL = comfort zone
Eng in SA= comfort zone
SA in Aus= comfort zone
NZ in Eng =comfort zone
AUS in NZ =comfort zone
Ind in WI = comfort zone

Pak in Eng was exceptional good.
And don't rate UAE pitch in any types.

I meant whenever any team goes out of comfort zone they decline.

Agree basically out of comfort zone of pace/swing or spin/slow pitches.
Pak draw in England and Nz draw in UAE are the only better result in recent years.

 

[The_Odd_One]

It is not the end of the world. England is likely to lose 3-0 in India and Pakistan will do better in Australia, so they will still be in the top 3 teams.

 

[hadi123]

Guys we will do better in Australia, we didn't have preparation for this series, we are now used to the conditions and hopefully we can smash the Aussies

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

A more representative number for team Pakistan. It shows that we are awesome in Asia and struggle outside Asia especially on those sporting tracks.

To be honest it has been like this for a decade now. In fact we are a lot more consistent then we used to be in Asian conditions. So it's not all doom and gloom.