3-0 series win pumps South Africa to No.2 on the ICC Test team rankings

South Africa have overtaken New Zealand and England to take the second position in the ICC Test Team Rankings after sweeping their home series against Pakistan 3-0. South Africa have gained four points to reach 110 points, two above England in the list led by India (116 points) after their 2-1 victory over Australia in a four-match series that ended last week.

Pakistan have lost one position, slipping behind Sri Lanka to seventh place. Pakistan started the series with 92 points but are now on 88 points, three points less than Sri Lanka. New Zealand are one point behind England at 107 points. England will have to win their upcoming three-match series against the Windies starting on 23 January to remain ahead of New Zealand.

Pakistan suffer 3-0 defeat

Heading into the third and final Test, the Pakistani batting unit had a lot to prove, they’d put up a spirited fight in the second game but went down in a losing cause. There was so much talk about the pacers not putting in enough effort the batsmen not responding to the call and amidst all that there was pressure on skipper Sarfraz Ahmed. The sword has been hanging on his head given his poor run and the team’s dismal performance overseas.

South Africa batted first at the Wanderers and posted a modest looking 262. It was Pakistan’s chance to respond with a larger total and take crucial first innings lead. But instead, they floundered for 185 conceding ascendance. In the second innings, powered by Quinton de Kock’s century they got to 303 and the target for the visitors was 380.

They started off better in the second innings with the top order getting starts but their failure to convert hurt Pakistan’s cause. Despite a fifty from Asad Shafiq they fell short of the target by 107 runs suffering a white wash in the series.

Here are the ICC Test team rankings:

Get the latest Cricket News and updates from South Africa vs Pakistan series, Match Predictions, Fantasy Cricket Tips and lots more on CricTracker.com.