Pakistan regain 4th position in Test Rankings despite drawn series

Pakistan has regained 4th position on the Reliance ICC Test Team Rankings table at the end of its two-match series against South Africa, which concluded in Dubai on Saturday. Pakistan was assured of the position after it won the first Test in Abu Dhabi by seven wickets to take a 1-0 lead.

However, Pakistan lost the second and final Test by an innings and 92 runs.

The result, nevertheless, meant Pakistan gained five ratings points to leapfrog Australia and the West Indies into fourth position on 102 ratings points, while South Africa retained its number-one spot but dropped four ratings points.

South Africa had entered the series leading Pakistan by 38 ratings points. This gap meant Graeme Smith’s side was favourite to win the two-Test series. Because the rankings are weighted to reflect this difference, South Africa’s failure to win both the Tests has cost it four ratings points and, in contrast, has earned five ratings points for Misbah-ul-Haq’s side.