Pakistan Drops to Lowest-Ever Test Ranking in 59 Years, Babar Azam Out of Top 10 List

Pakistan's cricket team has hit a new low in the ICC Test rankings, slipping to 8th position after a disappointing series defeat against Bangladesh. With just 76 rating points, this marks Pakistan's lowest ranking since 1965, a period when the team was still finding its feet in international cricket. The recent performance is a significant setback for a side.

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Worst year for Pakistan cricket in 59 years

The series against Bangladesh proved to be particularly disastrous for Pakistan. The two-match Test series in Rawalpindi saw the team suffer a 0-2 whitewash, a result that not only cost them valuable ranking points but also further highlighted the struggles of their star players, most notably captain Babar Azam.

Babar Azam has been going through a prolonged lean patch in Test cricket. His struggles continued against Bangladesh, where he could only manage scores of 0, 22, 31, and 11 across the four innings. This disappointing run of form has seen him drop out of the top 10 in the ICC Test rankings for batters, slipping to the 12th position with a rating of 712 points. 

Babar's decline in form has been a worrying sign for Pakistan. In his last 16 Test innings, he has failed to score a half-century, with his highest score during this period being just 41. His inability to anchor the innings or contribute significant runs has placed immense pressure on Pakistan's batting lineup, which has often looked fragile in challenging conditions.

The repercussions of Babar's form slump and Pakistan's overall poor performance in Test cricket are being felt keenly. Bangladesh remained in ninth position and behind Pakistan despite gaining 13 rating points.

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However, the 2-0 series win has bolstered Bangladesh in the points table for the World Test Championship cycle 2023-25 as they are now placed fourth behind table-toppers India, Australia at second and New Zealand at third.

Bangladesh, who will now focus their attention on a two-Test series against India starting in Chennai on September 19, have 45.83 percentage points and 33 points with three wins and as many defeats in six Tests.

(With PTI inputs)