Pakistan's ten-year plummet from top of the world to all-time ICC Test rankings low

Pakistan Hit Rock Bottom: From Test No.1 in 2016 to a Historic Low of Ninth

What a fall for Pakistan. Just over a decade after reigning supreme at the top of the ICC men's Test rankings, the side has tumbled to an all-time low of ninth after getting comprehensively whitewashed 3-0 by England.

Back in August 2016, a Misbah-ul-Haq-led Pakistan clawed its way to No.1, dethroning India on Aug 22. That surge came on the back of three consecutive series wins and a gritty 2-2 draw in England. Fast-forward to tdy, and the contrast is stark — this current side has won just one Test series since that 2-0 away sweep over Sri Lanka in July 2023 (the 2-1 upset win over England in 2024 being the lone bright spot).

The England Whitewash

Kicking off the series at seventh with 75 rating points, Pakistan were blown out for an innings and 103 runs at Headingley, then shipped by 194 runs at Lord's. The rout triggered a PCB shake-up — head coach and bowling coach both sacked. But Edgbaston offered no reprieve; a comfortable 8-wicket loss from England dropped them another notch to 71 points, while England held firm at fifth.

WTC Woes Add Insult to Injury

To make it worse, Babar Azam's men were docked 11 WTC points for a slow overrate at Edgbaston. They now sit bottom of the World Test Championship table with just five points from nine matches.

Current Standings (Top 10)

1. Australia — 126 | 2. South Africa — 119 | 3. New Zealand — 106 | 4. India — 105 | 5. England — 102 | 6. Bangladesh — 87 | 7. Sri Lanka — 75 | 8. West Indies — 74 | 9. Pakistan — 71 | 10. Zimbabwe — 71

From topping the world to sitting near the bottom — Pakistan's decade-long descent is one of the sharpest in recent memory.

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Source: Wisden