LAHORE Despite being tied with New Zealand on 80 points, Pakistan moved one step ahead to improve its ICC Test ranking from 7th to 6th, for the first time this year.
The latest ICC ranking bracketed Pakistan and New Zealand with 80 points each, but gave Pakistan better ranking after the ratings were calculated beyond the decimal point. Pakistan, once a strong nation, has been vying for a position in the top four rankings was placed at a poor 7th among nine Test playing countries since the start of the year 2010.
New Zealand went down after losing both Test matches to Australia, who have narrowed the gap with second-placed South Africa with a difference of just one rating point, aiming at to again snatch the top position from India.
New Zealand slips behind Pakistan after losing both Tests to Australia.
In the one-day ranking, Pakistan, however, still at the poor 7th place.
Only two Pakistan batsmen Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan are in the top 20 list of the ICC. While Yousuf is at 12th with 761 points, Younis is at the 14th with 754 points. Surprisingly, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has imposed ban on both the players for indefinite period, alleging their infighting against each other had damaged the unity of the national team.
Indian's Virender Sehwag tops the batsmen's ranking with 863 points, followed by Hashim Amla of South Africa (842 points).
Mohammad Asif is the only Pakistani bowler, who is included in the rating at 4th place.
