New Zealand rises to top of ICC Test Rankings following clean sweep against Pakistan

First Published Jan 6, 2021, 2:55 PM IST

New Zealand registered a 2-0 clean sweep over Pakistan in the Test series at home. The Kiwis now has 118 rating points, as it has leapfrogged Australia to take the top spot in the latest ICC Test Rankings. Meanwhile, India continues to remain in the third spot.

<p>New Zealand has come up with a phenomenal performance, as it has tamed Pakistan 2-0 in the two-Test series in the ICC World Test Championship campaign. The clean sweep has allowed the Kiwis to rise to the top spot in the latest ICC Test Rankings.</p>

New Zealand has come up with a phenomenal performance, as it has tamed Pakistan 2-0 in the two-Test series in the ICC World Test Championship campaign. The clean sweep has allowed the Kiwis to rise to the top spot in the latest ICC Test Rankings.

<p>New Zealand has 118 rating points, a couple more than Australia, thus leapfrogging the Kangaroos. New Zealand has also become the sixth nation in the past six years to claim the top spot in the same.</p>

New Zealand has 118 rating points, a couple more than Australia, thus leapfrogging the Kangaroos. New Zealand has also become the sixth nation in the past six years to claim the top spot in the same.

<p>Meanwhile, the ongoing four-Test series between India and Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is currently locked 1-1 after two Tests. New Zealand's top spot is undoubtedly under threat, provided Australia wins a Test.</p>

Meanwhile, the ongoing four-Test series between India and Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is currently locked 1-1 after two Tests. New Zealand's top spot is undoubtedly under threat, provided Australia wins a Test.

<p>In case New Zealand wants to stay on top, it has to expect that India does not win the series by a margin of 2-1. Meanwhile, a 3-1 win for India would see the Kiwis drop to second, while Australia's win too would see New Zealand falling a place.</p>

In case New Zealand wants to stay on top, it has to expect that India does not win the series by a margin of 2-1. Meanwhile, a 3-1 win for India would see the Kiwis drop to second, while Australia's win too would see New Zealand falling a place.

<p>As far as the WTC table situation is concerned, Australia maintains the top spot with 0.767 percentage of points. India stays on second with 0.722, while New Zealand is on third with 0.70. Least to say, it could all shuffle in the coming days, as the date to the final approaches near, with the top two teams set to clash at Lord's.</p>

As far as the WTC table situation is concerned, Australia maintains the top spot with 0.767 percentage of points. India stays on second with 0.722, while New Zealand is on third with 0.70. Least to say, it could all shuffle in the coming days, as the date to the final approaches near, with the top two teams set to clash at Lord's.

<p>As for Pakistan, the situation looks dire. While it has dropped to the seventh place in the Test rankings, it is at sixth in the WTC table, as its road to the final is seemingly over.</p>

As for Pakistan, the situation looks dire. While it has dropped to the seventh place in the Test rankings, it is at sixth in the WTC table, as its road to the final is seemingly over.