Test Ranking possibilities after New Zealand versus Pakistan series

[Saj]

New Zealand (91 points) hosts Pakistan (109 points) for a two-Test series starting Thursday which the visiting side will be hoping to win in a bid to close the gap with number-one ranked India, which is on 115 points.

The following are the series permutations:

· Pakistan wins 2-0: Pakistan 112 points; New Zealand 89 points

· Pakistan wins 1-0: Pakistan 110 points; New Z ealand 90 points

· New Zealand wins 1-0: Pakistan 104 points; New Zealand 95 points

· New Zealand wins 2-0: Pakistan 102 points; New Zealand 96 points

· A 1-1 or 0-0 draw: Pakistan 107 points ; New Zealand 93 points


In the individual rankings, Pakistan has four batsmen in the top 20 – Younus Khan (4th), captain Misbah-ul-Haq (11th), Azhar Ali (13th) and Asad Shafiq (18th). For New Zealand, captain Kane Williamson is ranked third and the next on the list is Ross Taylor in 21st position.

Conversely, New Zealand has a better count in the top 20 for bowlers as pace bowlers Neil Wagner (11th), Trent Boult (12th) and Tim Southee (17th) figure in it. Leg-spinner Yasir Shah is the only Pakistan bowler in the top 20 in fifth place, with pace bowler Wahab Riaz the next on the list in 25th position.

MRF Tyres ICC Test Rankings (as of 16 November 2016, before the start of New Zealand-Pakistan series)

Rank Team Points

1. India 115

2. Pakistan 109

3. Australia 108

4. England 105

5. South Africa 96

6. Sri Lanka 96

7. New Zealand 91

8. West Indies 69

9. Bangladesh 65

10. Zimbabwe 5

 

[MenInG]

The basic message for Pakistan is to win the series and 2-0 if they harbour any realistic intentions of catching up with India.

 

[Syed1]

Wow so if we win 2-0 we close the gap to 3 rating points with India.

Must be looking nice and big on that parosi rear view mirror right about now. I hope our former colonial masters do us a favour and win a match or two in India.

 

[Ankit007]

Great if NZ wins 2-0, Pak may not think about catching up again ....

 

[ShoonyaSifar]

Comeon NZ 2-0 please ��

 

[Buffet]

2-0 for any side will be hard unless weather helps to keep the green grass longer.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

We really don't have to depend on NZ to maintain our ranking.

Just need to stop being a useless waste of space when facing them Pommies and crush them mercilessly.

Easier said than done but its what we need to do to show our supremacy in home grounds.

 

[octavian]

This ranking system is an absolute joke. ICC is the probably most incompetent governing body of a world sport.

 

[soso_killer]

2-0 for any side will be hard unless weather helps to keep the green grass longer.

Neither team has the mental toughness to tough it out for a draw should either side be on top. I see a 2-0 result either way, both sides are vulnerable to collapse. Whoever wins the first Test will carry the momentum to the second Test.

 

[Saj]

So according to the ICC predictor if Pakistan win the series 2-0 and India lose the Test series against England then Pakistan will top the rankings.

 

[Suleiman]

Given the weather, there will be at least 1 draw.

 

[Buffet]

Neither team has the mental toughness to tough it out for a draw should either side be on top. I see a 2-0 result either way, both sides are vulnerable to collapse. Whoever wins the first Test will carry the momentum to the second Test.

You have a point, but wickets in NZ often gets very easy to bat after 1st day despite pitch looking green on first day. Both batting sides are likely to collapse some time, but flat wickets can make it easy to get big partnerships. If weather allows for pitch to remain green longer then I agree that both tests will have result.

 

[MenInG]

So according to the ICC predictor if Pakistan win the series 2-0 and India lose the Test series against England then Pakistan will top the rankings.

Draw possible in NZ unfortunately

 

[Square Drive]

2-0 for us is light work.

Just need England to do their thing.