Pakistan move to 3rd place in Test ranking

Pakistan jumped three places to third in the ICC Test Championship table following a seven-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the third and final cricket Test in Pallekele on Tuesday, says an ICC media release.

Pakistan had entered the series in sixth position on 97 points, one ahead of Sri Lanka. The 2-1 series win has earned it four ratings points and because the middle of the table is so tightly-packed, a leap of three places.

Pakistan now trails second-ranked Australia by 10 points and leads fourth-ranked New Zealand by two points.

Sri Lanka, in contrast, has dropped four points and has slipped to 92 points, while retaining its seventh position overall.

The Ashes begins on Wednesday and England will not only be aiming to reclaim the Urn but also improve its ranking. England is currently sitting in sixth position and a series win by 3-0 or better will move it to as high as second.

ICC Test Championship table (as on July 7, 2015)

Rank                           Team                           Points

1                                  South Africa               130

2                                  Australia                     111

3                                  Pakistan                      101

4                                  New Zealand              99

5                                  India                           97

6                                  England                      97

7                                  Sri Lanka                    92

8                                  West Indies                 81

9                                  Bangladesh                 41

10                                Zimbabwe                  5