The International Cricket Council’s (ICC) yearly update of the rankings has placed Pakistan in the top five teams in all three formats of cricket.
The Men in Green moved up one rank in the ICC Test Rankings to take fifth place from England.
England dropped nine places in the latest rankings, from 97 to 88, with new skipper Ben Stokes taking over a Test team that has only won one match in the last 12 months.
Australia remained on top, with India, New Zealand, and South Africa following closely behind.
Pakistan rose one spot to fifth place in the ODI rankings, passing South Africa and drawing closer to India in a ten-point swing. Pakistan’s good showing in the one-day international series against Australia helped the squad to reach the top five.
England, Australia, and India are the top four ODI teams.
In the ICC Men’s T20I Team Rankings, Pakistan rounded out the top three with 261 points. Meanwhile, with 270 points, India has consolidated its leadership position. England is in second place, with South Africa and Australia in fourth and fifth, respectively.
Pakistan experienced one of the greatest cricketing years in their recent history. The squad now look poised and ready to take on the upcoming T20I World Cup.
