Pak moves within striking distance of ICC 'top four' league after England whitewash

Pakistan Telegraph (ANI) Tuesday 7th February, 2012

Pakistan has narrowed the gap with the top four sides in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test Championship table after beating the world number-one team, England by 3-0 in the three-Test series, which finished in Dubai on Monday.

Pakistan had entered the series in fifth position on 99 rating points. Though they have not gained any place on the championship table following their win, they have moved to 108 ratings points and within striking distance of the top four for the first time since 2007, The Daily Times reports.

Misbahul Haq's team is now just three ratings points behind India and Australia, and nine ratings points behind number-two ranked South Africa. England, in contrast, have retained their number-one ranking, which they have held since beating India in England last summer.

Andrew Strauss's team has plummeted from 125 ratings points to 118 ratings points to lead second-ranked South Africa by just one ratings point, placing their lead in jeopardy even before they head to Sri Lanka for a two-Test series starting next month.

Pakistan's 3-0 series win over England has also kept alive South Africa's chances of finishing as the number-one ranked side at the 1 April annual cut-off date, and winning the prize of 175,000 dollars. To make this happen, the Proteas will have to win all the three Tests against New Zealand which will be played in New Zealand from March 7-27.

For Pakistan, this is their highest rating since they climbed to 108 ratings points in May 2007. It is also the first time Pakistan have beaten England in all the Tests of a series in 22 attempts. (ANI)