KARACHIi, Dec 18: Pakistan hockey team is placed on No 4th position according to the latest Sahara World Hockey Men's Team Rankings following the Champions Trophy, which concluded at Lahore, last weekend.

According to the latest ranking issued on Saturday, Australia paid the penalty of its non-participation from the Champions Trophy, dropping from first place to second.

Despite only finishing fifth in that event, Germany replaces Australia at the top. New Zealand and Champions Trophy gold medallists Spain, improve their ranking by one place.

The runners up of Champions Trophy Netherlands maintained their position on No 3 followed by Pakistan No 4 and India on No 5. Asian giants Pakistan and India also managed to retain their positions.

Latest World Ranking: Dec 2004 (Following Champions Trophy):

1. Germany, 2. Australia, 3. Netherlands, 4. Pakistan, 5. India, 6. Spain, 7. Korea, 8. New Zealand, 9. England, 10. Argentina.

Previous Ranking: Sep 2004 (following Olympics Games)

1. Australia, 2.Germany, 3. Netherlands, 4. Pakistan, 5. India, 6. Korea, 7. Spain, 8. England, 9. New Zealand, 10. Argentina.

Latest women's ranking (following BDO Hockey Champions Trophy):

1. Netherlands, 2. Argentina, 3. Australia, 4. China, 5. Germany, 6. New Zealand, 7. Korea, 8. England, 9. Spain, 10. Japan.-PPI