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South Africa retains second spot in ICC Test ranking despite draws against Pak

South Africa retains second spot in ICC Test ranking despite draws against PakDubai, Nov 25: Second-ranked South Africa and sixth-placed Pakistan have moved in different directions in the ICC Test Championship table after their two-Test series ended with both games drawn.

South Africa had entered the series leading Pakistan by 36 ratings points, but the Proteas' failure to win the series means that it has dropped points.

Following drawn Tests in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, South Africa has now slipped from 119 ratings points to 116 ratings points, while Pakistan has gained five ratings points and now sits on 88 ratings points.

Even though South Africa is now just a point ahead of Sri Lanka, it cannot be overtaken by Kumar Sangakkara's side irrespective of how their series against the West Indies pans out.

With the first Test at Galle already finishing in a draw, the maximum Sri Lanka can now achieve is a 2-0 series win which will not be enough to put it ahead of South Africa

A 2-0 win will keep it on 115 ratings points while a 1-0 series win will mean it will fall to 113 ratings points, just one ahead of England which is currently playing against Australia in the first Ashes Test in Brisbane.

However, if the series ends in a 0-0 draw, Sri Lanka could drop behind England and Australia in fifth position on 109 ratings points while the West Indies will jump to 85 ratings points.

In contrast, the West Indies will move ahead of New Zealand even if it loses the series 1-0, while a 2-0 series loss will mean it will stay in eighth position on 79 ratings points.

In case of a series win, the West Indies will move ahead of Pakistan in sixth position. A 1-0 win will take it to 89 ratings points while a 2-0 win will put it on 91 ratings points.


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