ICC Test Rankings: Pakistan go up to fifth spot after clean sweep against South Africa

Pakistan have returned to the top five of the ICC Test Rankings after beating South Africa by 95 runs in the second Test to sweep the two-match series. Chasing a target of 370, South Africa were all out for 270 on the final day of the Test as Pakistan registered their first Test series win over the Proteas since 2003. Fast-bowler Hasan Ali made the difference with the ball, taking 5 for 60 to finish with career-best figures of 10 for 114.

Starting the day on 127 for 1, South Africa were off to a disastrous start as Rassie van der Dussen was sent back by Hasan Ali in the very first over of the day. Three overs later, Ali struck again to remove Faf du Plessis. But just when it looked like Pakistan would register an easy win, Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma steadied the ship.

The duo shared 107 runs for the fourth wicket before Ali dismissed Markram and Quinton de Kock on successive deliveries to seal the game for the hosts. South Africa’s lower-order could not delay the inevitable for long as the visitors were all out for 270. Markram top-scored with the bat for the Proteas, scoring 108 while Bavuma scored 61.

Pakistan move up in ICC Test Rankings:

Pakistan gain eight rating points to jump to No.5 in the @MRFWorldwide ICC Test Team Rankings after the #PAKvSA series ? pic.twitter.com/l05HwixTd0

— ICC (@ICC) February 8, 2021

Riding on the series win, Pakistan have leapfrogged Sri Lanka and South Africa to the fifth spot in the latest ICC Test Rankings, released by the governing body of the game on Monday. Pakistan currently have 90 rating points. South Africa, on the other hand, have dropped one spot to the sixth and have 89 rating points.

New Zealand continue to sit at the top of the rankings with 118 points followed by India and Australia. England are at the fourth spot. As far as the World Test Championship points table is concerned, India are on top followed by New Zealand, Australia and England. Pakistan and South Africa are at the fifth and sixth spot respectively and are out of the race to secure a place in the final.

New Zealand recently became the first team to secure their place in the final while the likes of India, England and Australia are still vying for the other spot. The ongoing series between India and England will determine the second finalist in the coming days.