LAHORE: While Pakistan took one step up in the ICC Test and One-day International rankings to stand at the fifth place from sixth, Australia, New Zealand and India lead the tables world in three formats of the game, according to the latest rankings announced by the International Cricket Council on Thursday.

Pakistan 20 Test matches during 2021-22 to earn 1865 points to come up at fifth place as England fell to sixth.

Australia from 19 matches obtained 2439 points to be the leaders, followed by India, New Zealand and South Africa.

“Australia have increased their lead over second-placed India from one to nine rating points while Pakistan have overtaken England to fifth position following the annual update carried out today,” the ICC announced.

“Australia, who beat England 4-0 in a five-match home series in January, have moved from 119 to 128 rating points in the annual update that drops the 2018-19 season and reflects all series completed since May 2019. Series completed prior to May 2021 are now weighted at 50 per cent and subsequent series at 100 per cent,” the game’s world governing body added.

“India have also gained a point to move to 119 while England have had the biggest decrease of nine points as their 4-1 series win over India in 2018 is now dropped from the rankings. England’s 88 rating points is their lowest since 1995.

“The England versus India series that began in 2021, will be included in the rankings once the final postponed Test is completed,” the ICC said.

South Africa have closed the gap with third-placed New Zealand from 13 points to just one point in the updated rankings that still contain 10 teams since Afghanistan and Ireland are yet to play enough Tests to be included in the rankings.

In the updated ODI rankings, New Zealand remain on top but their lead over England is reduced from three to one point. The gap between England and third placed Australia has increased from seven to 17 points.

Pakistan have moved past South Africa to fifth place while the UAE are the biggest gainers, earning six rating points and advancing two places to 13th.

In T20 International rankings, India remain on top, extending their lead over second-placed England from one to five points. South Africa and Australia have overtaken New Zealand, who are now in sixth place.

Pakistan stand at the third place. Similarly, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are now ahead of Afghanistan (10th).

Published in Dawn, May 6th, 2022