Bangladesh’s historic rise pushes Pakistan down in Test rankings

ISLAMABAD: Bangladesh have rewritten a small but significant chapter in their Test cricket history, climbing to a record sixth position in the latest ICC Test team rankings and pushing Pakistan down to eighth after a dramatic series of results involving both sides.

The Tigers’ rise came despite losing the second Test against Australia by an innings and 51 runs in Mackay. Bangladesh had already made history in the opening Test in Darwin, stunning the hosts by nine wickets to secure their first-ever Test victory on Australian soil. The two-match series eventually ended 1-1, but the result was enough to lift Bangladesh three places to sixth.

The second Test was a completely different story. Australia responded emphatically, with Mitchell Starc producing a devastating bowling performance to claim 10 wickets in the match. Bangladesh were dismissed for just 64 in their first innings and 95 in the second, allowing Australia to wrap up the contest inside two days.

Yet, despite that heavy defeat, Bangladesh’s historic first-Test success proved decisive in the rankings. Their performance in Australia demonstrated that they could compete with one of the world’s strongest Test sides in demanding overseas conditions.

For Pakistan, meanwhile, the latest ranking movement represents another setback in a difficult period in the longest format.

Pakistan’s three-Test tour of England began with a crushing defeat at Headingley. England won the opening Test by an innings and 103 runs after bowling Pakistan out for 171 in the first innings and 135 in the second.

England’s Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue were particularly destructive, taking five wickets apiece in Pakistan’s first innings. Abdullah Shafique’s 61 and Imam-ul-Haq’s 42 provided some resistance, but Pakistan struggled to build substantial partnerships.

The latest ranking order places Australia at the top, followed by South Africa and New Zealand, with India and England completing the top five. Bangladesh now occupy sixth, ahead of Sri Lanka in seventh and Pakistan in eighth.

Bangladesh’s rise is therefore more than a numerical improvement. Their Australian adventure has strengthened their reputation in Test cricket, while Pakistan now face an urgent challenge to regain momentum in England.

With the second Test at Lord’s scheduled to begin on August 27, Pakistan still have an opportunity to change the narrative. But Bangladesh’s historic climb has already delivered a clear message: the race for Test cricket’s middle rankings is becoming increasingly competitive.