Getting number one position by default is no big achievement...... Keep the position after winning more matches will be the true yardstick in future.

@DKM India also got to 1st position by Aus losing to SL.

@Gaf Dude, Australia lost out in ranking because it LOST all three Tests, while India is losing points because it COULDN'T play one Test due to rain, and that too after WINNING two games. There's a difference, wouldn't you say?

@DKM No cricket at home, wining to top class teams on their soil ,what else you need..Pakistan deserves 1st Position

@DKM Well beating England on any pitch,team has earned Number 01 position by sheer hard work,determination and dedication over 7 years time frame.Go ahead King Misbah and Younis Khan.REAL CHAMPS!

Regardless of Pakistan playing at home or not, Pakistan looks like the most balanced test side in world right now. We have fast bowling unit to play in seaming conditions, worlds best leg spinner to play in helpful conditions, four batsmen in top 20 of ICC test ranking. I would fancy Pakistan in New Zealand and Australia. Misbah has done a fantastic job to convert a disgraceful side into world beater.

@DKM if you can't digest the thought that Pakistan is the no.1 team why don't you tell your bcci to arrange a series at a neutral ground.am sure Pakistan will be victorious

@TOMUHTO TAWMAYTO - There are always ifs and buts. Had Pakistan lost to England instead of drawing, it wouldn't be in the position it is now. This position could well be short lived as two more tough overseas tours are coming to NZ and Aus. To be number 1, doing well overseas is the key.

Pak deserves it. Moreover, India wins due to SANDY/ILLEGAL PITCHES. Everybody knows that ASHWIN can't make it to playingXI in ENG, NZ, AUS, SA. Yes WI gave it to INDIA in 3rd test, Ind didn't win. WI team is without Lindon Simmons, Andre Fletcher, Ramdin, Suleman, Badree, Narayan, Rampaul, Roch while SRILANKA had their full strenght vs AUS. So WI & SL are incomparable.

@Zaman Channa Thats fine but I don't see anything wrong in DKM comment. PAK got no. 1 position but maintaining it would be very difficult task.

@Zaman Channa Though I like Pakistan team, please stop this ' no home cricket' excuse. UAE is as good as Lahore or Karachi for Pakistani players. Even better in many ways... no dangerous local media or irritating ex players India were very unlucky to lose points due to weather. But India don't care much about losing 1st rank for a few weeks. The next 18 months belong to India. Try shopping us !

There is only one way to settle it. Pakistan and India should play a 3 test match series in either England or Australia or even USA or even Canada. Whoever wins will be truly number 1. Think of the revenue only by gate reciepts. TV rights and sponsors are separate income. BCCI and PCB are you reading this?

@Gaf Yes Australia lost and lost points! Here no game was played so no one lost! or won!

@Zaman Channa ""wining to top class teams on their soil ,what else you need" Pakistan has not beaten India in India since 1986! Pakistan has not beaten England in England since 1996! Pakistan has never beaten West Indies in the Caribbean, Pakistan has never beaten Australia in OZ Pakistan has never beaten South Africa in Africa, Pakistan managed a draw in Zimbabwe So please advise which top class team you beat on their soil!

By default or naught; Pakistan deserved this place more than any other team.

Pakistan prayers have been answered.

Not Pakistans fault. So congratulations. Feels good when Pakistanis focus on sports, science, trade, arts.

@Zaman Channa "No cricket at home, wining to top class teams on their soil ,what else you need..Pakistan deserves 1st Position" I agree with your first point; kudos to Pakistan for its recent Test performance despite there being no cricket at home. But on your 2nd point, I have a problem. Winning two Tests in England --- but losing two as well --- isn't "wining to top class teams on their soil". But you now what? We should wait a while before concluding whether "Pakistan deserves 1st Position". India has a busy schedule ahead: New Zealand tour India in Oct-Nov to play 3 Test (plus some ODIs and a T20); followed by England (Nov-Feb), Australia (Feb-March) and BD (one-off Test in March). Pakistan, too, has a good schedule. Three Tests against Windies (Oct), two against Kiwis (Nov), three against Australia (Dec). We'll have a fair picture by year-end, no?

@Salazar I suggest even better. One test match in traditional 'Asian' centre like Birmingham or Manchester. One test in Bangladesh, for SC conditions. One at the Wanderers or PE for pace and bounce, One in Kingston Jamaica and one in the US or Canada for our folks there. Staggered over few months with long breaks. Its only a dream though.

I suggest home test victories should be given 2 points and away victories 8 points (You can leave BD and ZIM out). That ranking would be real and so so interesting to see. Can any statistician use that over the last 4 year results and give us rankings ?? Also, it is weird that all teams do not play at all locations regularly (Let the India Pak thing rest, ICC can't solve that). The FTP is so ridiculous. When did Pakistan last tour SA or AUS ?? As someone pointed out, Pakistan last beat India in India in 1986 and Eng in Eng in 1996. They have NEVER beaten SA and Aus on their turfs. Do they really deserve number one ? So there U go. 2-8 system for home and away victories will give U a realistic ranking. Also, if there is a washout and draw, why would either team LOSE points ?? Each gets half points , no ?

@CALCUTTA MAN - Also worth mentioning, in those coming series, India will have home advantage whilst Pakistan is playing away series. So, India has far better chance to be no 1. "on your 2nd point" though, as seen in SL, Aus got white washed 3-0, so Pakistan's 2-2 result playing in England was commendable indeed and by doing so they retained the trophy too having beaten England at 'home'.