Pakistan rise to 5th in Test rankings

Achieves best standing since March 2009 after series sweep.

There was double joy for Pakistan following their 2-0 series win over Bangladesh as the team also gained one place on the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test rankings table and now sits fifth.

According to information provided by the ICC, the series-win earned Pakistan one ratings point, putting it at par with Sri Lanka on 99 points. However, Pakistan has been placed above Sri Lanka after the ratings were calculated beyond the decimal point. This is the team’s best ranking since March 2009 when it had reached fifth for a brief period.

Pakistan now trail fourth-ranked Australia, who go into a four-Test series against India next week, by four points. Currently, the only way Pakistan can move into fourth position is if Australia suffer a whitewash India’s hands.

Pakistan’s next Test assignment is against top-ranked England. The three-Test series will start in the UAE on January 17. England lead Pakistan by 26 ratings points.

Ajmal leading wicket-taker in 2011

Meanwhile, off-spinner Saeed Ajmal claimed nine wickets in the two Tests to round off his year with 50 wickets from eight matches. He is the highest wicket-taker in 2011 so far, with India’s Ishant Sharma placed second with 41 wickets from 11 matches.

Ajmal is ranked eighth in the ICC Test bowlers’ rankings.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 22^nd, 2011.