Pakistan rise to sixth in ICC Test rankings after annual update

ICC Test Rankings confirmed that Australia remain at the top with 131 points, extending their lead after gaining three rating points. Reigning World Test Champions South Africa stay in second place with 119 points, also improving by three points.

DUBAI: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-May 1st, 2026) Pakistan have improved their position in the latest ICC Men’s Test Team Rankings following the annual update, which saw adjustments across the standings after the recalculation of results.

ICC Test Rankings confirmed that Australia remain at the top with 131 points, extending their lead after gaining three rating points. Reigning World Test Champions South Africa stay in second place with 119 points, also improving by three points.

India have moved up one place to third with 104 points, overtaking England, who have dropped to fourth on 102 points.

England’s decline is linked to the removal of older results prior to April 30, 2023 from the weighted ranking system. This adjustment affected several of their earlier performances, including home series wins against New Zealand and South Africa, as well as a 3-0 away victory in Pakistan.

In the updated standings, Pakistan have also benefited from the recalculation and now occupy sixth position with 89 points, moving ahead of Sri Lanka, who have 86 points. The change comes after England’s earlier series win over Pakistan was partially devalued under the revised system, along with Pakistan’s 2-0 defeat to Bangladesh being adjusted in weightage.

New Zealand hold fifth place with 101 points, while Sri Lanka, West Indies (68 points), Bangladesh (67 points), and Ireland (25 points) complete the rest of the table. Ireland have dropped out of the rankings after failing to meet the minimum requirement of eight Test matches during the rating period.

Officials noted that Ireland, along with Afghanistan, will need to play at least two Test matches in the coming year to regain ranking eligibility.

Pakistan, led in Test cricket by Pakistan national cricket team captain Shan Masood, are scheduled to tour Bangladesh for a two-match Test series as part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 cycle. The first Test will be played at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka from May 8 to 12, followed by the second Test in Sylhet from May 16 to 20.

Later in the year, Pakistan are also set to play Test series against England, Sri Lanka, and the West Indies.