Pakistan were recently dethroned from the top spot at the International Cricket Council Test rankings by their arch-rival India. However, they are lined up for three Test series in near future and hoping to become the best in the world again.
India were sitting one point behind the table toppers Pakistan (111 points) at the ICC Test rankings prior to their start of the series against New Zealand at their home.
In the first home Test at Green Park, the Blues unleashed their entire skills and managed to jolt down a massive 197 run victory over the Black Caps. They carried their winning momentum in the second Test at Eden Gardens and easily overpowered their rivals. India record a 178-run victory against New Zealand and sealed the series with one match in hand.
India is now scheduled for 11 more Tests at their home soil which will last till March of next year. They will be aiming to build on their lead and stay at the top till the cut-off date of 1st April. Any team sitting at the top at this time will be awarded by $1 million prize money.
Pakistan stole the limelight in this format in August after managing to draw the series against England at The Oval. However, they reached at the second spot with India on the number one slot.
Australia were dethroned after being whitewashed by 3-0 against Sri Lanka. India on the other hand failed to clinch the series with a 3-0 lead which awarded the Men in Green to steal the limelight at the top of the Test rankings.
Pakistan were led by Misbah UlHaq in the England series. The whole team performed brilliantly and sent a warning to everyone after their opening Test victory at Lords. The Asian side managed to win for the first time in 20 years at the house of cricket. Misbah also became the oldest captain to achieve the feat.
Regardless of losing the following two Tests at Old Trafford and Edgbaston, the whole team showed brilliant class and composure throughout the series. They convincingly won the final Test in London again continued the tour with high morale.
The 42 year old showed exceptional leadership skills and the whole team was displaying positive energy on the field. The veteran Younus Khan recreated his magic in the final Test after he smashed double century in the innings and steered the side to glory.
During the series, Yasir Shah became the number one Test bowler and was the first leg-spinner to achieve the feat since Shane Warne in 2005.
WahabRiaz, Sohail Khan and Mohammad Amir all unleashed brilliant deliveries form their arsenal of skills and ruled.
In the batting end, AsadShafiq and Sami Aslam also showed brilliant batting skills. The wicketkeeper batsman Sarfraz Ahmed was active not only behind the stumps but also with the bat.
The Men in Green will square off West Indies for a three match Test series in United Arab Emirates starting from 13th October at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Pakistan have already conquered the Caribbean side in the limited-over formats with one ODI still left. They clean swept their opponents by 3-0 in the T20 format and then easily overpowered in the One Day Internationals.
After the last ODI in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, Pakistan are hoping to carry their winning momentum from the England Test series and from the on-going series to claim another whitewash.
If India fail to win or draw in their third Test against the Black Caps, Pakistan can re-claim the top spot with 3-0 score line against the struggling West Indies side.
Even if Pakistan fail to climb to the top by the end of this series, they will be hoping to recreate their magic against New Zealand. The Men in Green will take on the Black Caps for a two match Test series starting on 17th November at Hagley Oval Christchurch.
The second Test will start on the 25th November at Seddon Park Hamilton.
With their current form in the Test series and overall performances, Pakistan can stay even with India. After the New Zealand series, the Asian giants are scheduled for three-match Test series against Australia. The first Test will start on 3rd January at Sydney Cricket Ground.
Pakistan can capitalize on the Aussie’s current dip of form and stay at the top of the rankings.
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