Following series whitewash against Australia, Pakistan drop to fifth spot in ICC Test ranking

Dubai [UAE], Jan. 7 (ANI): Following the 3-0 whitewash against Australia which culminated with a 220-run defeat in Sydney on Saturday, Pakistan has slipped two places to fifth position in the latest ICC Test Team Ranking. The Misbah-ul-Haq-led side lost five points to finish with 97 points after the series, just one point ahead of New Zealand and Sri Lanka. It was the sixth consecutive Test loss for Pakistan including a 0-2 loss to New Zealand in a preceding series. Pakistan, which had led the rankings last year following a 2-2 draw in England during a four-match series in July-August, was tied with South Africa on 102 points before the Australia series but was ahead on decimal points. South Africa and England (101) are now both ahead of Pakistan. Australia has consolidated its second position, gaining four points and moving up to 109 points, 11 points behind India. But South Africa could bridge the gap as it looks set to gain more points when the rankings are updated after its ongoing three-Test series against Sri Lanka which it leads 2-0. The Proteas could go up to 107 points with a 3-0 win and to 105 points if it wins 2-0. Even if Sri Lanka wins the last Test in Johannesburg next week, South Africa will gain two points to reach 104 points with a 2-1 series result. (ANI)