Opportunity for Australia and Pakistan to rise to No.2 in ICC Test rankings

Australia and Pakistan will go head to head in a three-Test series in Brisbane on Thursday. Both the teams have a great chance of rising as high as No.2 in the ICC Test team rankings if they manage to win all the three Tests of the series. While the hosts Australia are currently placed third with 105 points Pakistan at the fourth spot as they have 102 points on their name.

However, there is a possibility of a change in the Rankings after the fifth Test between India and England at Chennai. If the England team that is on the second position now wins the match, they will finish the series 3-1 and settle with 103 points, but if Team India manages to beat them yet again and conclude the series 4-0 then England will slide down to 101 points while India will further strengthen their position at the top.

Schedule of the Australia v Pakistan Test series:

1st Test (day/night) – 15-19 December, Brisbane

2nd Test – 26-30 December, Melbourne

3rd Test – 3-7 January, Sydney

Following are permutations for the series:

If Australia wins the series 3-0 then they will end up with 109 points and rise up over England in the Test rankings. Pakistan will be down to 97 points.

If Australia wins the series 2-0 then they will have 108 points while Pakistan will conclude with 98 points.

If the Aussies wins the series by the smallest margin 1-0. Then they will have 107 points and Pakistan will lose just two points and finish with 100 points.

If the series ends in a draw the Australia – 104 points; Pakistan – 103 points.

On the other hand, if it’s the Pakistan team that wins the series 3-0 then they will finish with Pakistan 108 points and move to the second spot in ICC Test team rankings. Australia will be down to 100 points.

If Pakistan wins the series 2-0 then they will have 107 points and will be left with 101 points.

If Pakistan wins the series 1-0 they will still be in contention for the second place in the Test team rankings with 105 points. Australia will drop down to 102 points.

ICC Team Rankings ahead of the series: