ICC Test Rankings: Pakistan enter top five after clean sweeping series against South Africa

Pakistan, who had a clean sweep Test series against South Africa have returned into the top five of the ICC Test Rankings.

The hosts beat the Proteas 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. Pakistan registered their first Test series win over the Proteas since 2003. 

Riding on the series win, Pakistan have leapfrogged Sri Lanka and South Africa and now sit on the fifth spot in the latest ICC Test Rankings. Pakistan currently have 90 rating points while South Africa have dropped one spot to the sixth and have 89 rating points.

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

New Zealand continues to sit at the top with 118 points followed by India, Australia and England respectively. 

As far as the World Test Championship points table is concerned, India are still on top followed by New Zealand - who have already qualified for the final.

Australia and England follow at third and fourth while Pakistan and South Africa are at the fifth and sixth spot respectively. The Men in Green and the Proteas are out of the race to secure a place in the final.

New Zealand had become 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 who will be the second finalist.