Bangladesh rise to a career-best sixth place after securing a historic Test victory in Darwin, while Pakistan drop to eighth.
Bangladesh have climbed three places to a career-best sixth in the latest ICC Test team rankings after an impressive two-match tour of Australia, moving above both Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
The Tigers now have 1,878 ranking points and occupy sixth position. Sri Lanka have fallen to seventh with 1,222 points, while Pakistan remain eighth with 1,427 points. Australia continue to lead the rankings, followed by South Africa and New Zealand. India and England complete the top five.
Bangladesh’s rise came after their historic nine-wicket victory over Australia in the opening Test at Marrara Stadium in Darwin. The result marked their first Test triumph on Australian soil and gave the visitors a significant boost in the rankings.
Australia were dismissed for 198 in their first innings, with Steve Smith making 71. Hasan Mahmud spearheaded Bangladesh’s bowling effort with six wickets for 55 runs, while Taskin Ahmed and Ebadot Hossain took two wickets each.
Bangladesh responded strongly with 426, establishing a 228-run advantage. Tanzid Hasan led the batting effort with a century, scoring 101. Australia were then bowled out for 284, with Cameron Green contributing 104. Mehidy Hasan claimed five wickets as Bangladesh secured a nine-wicket win after reaching their modest target of 57.
Australia bounced back in the second Test in Mackay, defeating Bangladesh by an innings and 51 runs to level the series 1-1.
The hosts dominated after Bangladesh collapsed to 64 in their first innings. Mitchell Starc was the main destroyer, taking six wickets, while Pat Cummins claimed three. Bangladesh’s total included four ducks, with the team falling to 39 for nine before Taijul Islam and Shoriful Islam added 25 for the final wicket.
Australia recovered to score 210, with Green making 67 and Smith 42. Shoriful then produced a remarkable response, taking a career-best seven for 48 as Bangladesh bowled Australia out.
However, Bangladesh managed only 95 in their second innings. Starc completed a 10-wicket match haul as Australia sealed victory.
Despite the heavy defeat, Bangladesh’s historic Darwin triumph proved enough to lift them to sixth in the ICC Test rankings, pushing Pakistan down to eighth.