KARACHI, Oct 28: Pakistan slumped to a poor eighth spot, only above lowly Zimbabwe and Bangladesh in the latest Test championship ratings released by the game’s ruling body, International Cricket Council (ICC), Monday.

Australia who inflicted on Pakistan second successive 3-0 whitewash retain top spot by the slender lead of 0.1 of a point from South Africa with New Zealand in third place.

Steve Waugh’s men however will have to win the Ashes series to retain their top spot. Anything less than a win will see South Africa take over from the Aussies.

Sri Lanka, England, West Indies and India follow the top three in that order.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Wasim Raja, has been named as the ICC Match Referee for the Ashes series and Elite Panel umpires Rudi Koertzen and Steve Bucknor will stand in the first three Tests in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. Russell Tiffin and Dave Orchard wil take over for Melbourne and Sydney Tests.

(tabulated as under team, series, won, lost, drawn, points, average):

Australia 13 9 2 2 20 1.54

South Africa 17 12 3 2 26 1.53

New Zealand 16 8 5 4 20 1.18

Sri Lanka 16 8 6 2 18 1.13

England 16 6 6 4 16 1.00

West Indies 15 6 8 1 13 0.87

India 14 4 6 4 12 0.86

Pakistan 16 4 7 5 13 0.81

Zimbabwe 16 3 11 2 8 0.50

Bangladesh 6 0 6 0 0 -