Test rankings: Pakistan must beat Tigers to retain third spot

The men in green have benefited by England’s defeat to West Indies in the third Test

Pakistan gained greatly from England’s defeat to the West Indies in the third and final Test of the series that ended inside three days at Bridgetown, Barbados on Sunday.

According to the latest International Cricket Council (ICC) Test Rankings, Misbahul Haq’s team has catapulted to the third spot as England lost crucial ranking points through the Barbados defeat. Yet, to maintain the third spot, Pakistan must beat Bangladesh in the second and final and crucial match of the series that is scheduled to begin in Mirpur on Wednesday.

As per the ICC media release, England had entered the three-Test series in the third place with 104 points. After the defeat in Barbados, Alastair Cook’s men have dropped behind Pakistan into fourth position.

If Pakistan beat Bangladesh at Mirpur, the team will fall to 102 points but will be ranked above England when the ratings are calculated beyond the decimal point.

Conversely, a Bangladesh win would see Pakistan drop behind England (102) and New Zealand (99) in fifth position on 96 points, while if the Test is drawn, Pakistan will join New Zealand on 99 points but will be ranked above the Black Caps by a fraction of a point.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 5^th,  2015.

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