Pakistan slumps to lowest rating points since 1965 after defeat against Bangladesh

Pakistan's cricket team has hit a new low, sinking to the eighth spot in the ICC Test rankings following a disappointing 2-0 series loss to Bangladesh in Rawalpindi. 

This marks the first time Pakistan has lost a series to Bangladesh, and the result has seen them drop to their lowest rating points since 1965.

The series saw Bangladesh secure a decisive victory in both Test matches. Pakistan lost the first Test by ten wickets and the second by six wickets. As a result, Pakistan dropped two places in the ICC Men's Test Team Rankings, falling from sixth to eighth position with 76 rating points.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) commented on the setback, stating, "Pakistan dropped two places in the ICC Men's Test Team Rankings to go to eighth position after suffering a shock series loss at home to Bangladesh."

"The hosts were sixth in the rankings table before the series, but back-to-back losses have seen them drop below West Indies to eighth with 76 rating points.

"This is the lowest rating points Pakistan have had in the Test rankings table since 1965, barring a brief period where they did not have a place in the rankings due to an insufficient number of matches."

This drop is the lowest rating points Pakistan has recorded since the rankings began, excluding a brief period when they were not ranked due to a lack of matches.

Despite their series win, Bangladesh did not receive significant promotion. They gained 13 rating points but remain in ninth place, just behind Pakistan. Bangladesh's victory has, however, strengthened their position in the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle 2023-25, where they are now ranked fourth. The current top three teams in the WTC standings are India, Australia, and New Zealand.

This defeat has dashed Pakistan's hopes of reaching the World Test Championship 2023-25 final, as they now find themselves in eighth place on the WTC points table with 16 points and a win percentage of 19.05. Meanwhile, Bangladesh has significantly improved their position, climbing to fourth place with 33 points and a win percentage of 45.83.

In the World Test Championship, teams are ranked based on the percentage of points they accumulate, with 12 points awarded for a Test win, 4 for a draw, and 6 for a tie.

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