By: News Desk 92Pavilion | Updated: August 24, 2026
Quick Answer: Bangladesh have climbed to sixth place in the latest ICC Test rankings, their highest-ever position in the format, after drawing a two-Test series against Australia 1-1. The rise pushes Bangladesh above Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and the West Indies. Pakistan now sits in eighth place, continuing a difficult stretch that includes back-to-back series defeats to Bangladesh over the past two years.
A Historic Milestone for Bangladesh
Bangladesh have reached sixth place in the ICC Men’s Test rankings, surpassing their previous best of seventh, which they achieved earlier this year. The Tigers now hold 78 rating points, moving ahead of Sri Lanka on 76, Pakistan on 75, and the West Indies on 74.
The rise followed a hard-fought two-Test series in Australia that finished 1-1. Bangladesh stunned the hosts with a historic nine-wicket win in the opening Test in Darwin, before Australia responded with a dominant innings-and-51-run victory in Mackay to level the series. Despite the heavy defeat in the second match, the earlier win in Darwin was enough to lift Bangladesh three places up the rankings table.
How Pakistan Slipped Behind
Pakistan’s slide down the rankings has been building for some time. Bangladesh first moved above Pakistan back in May, after completing a 2-0 home series win in Sylhet. That victory pushed Bangladesh to seventh place, their highest ranking at the time, while Pakistan dropped from sixth to eighth.
The Sylhet result extended a troubling pattern for Pakistan against Bangladesh specifically. Bangladesh had already swept Pakistan 2-0 in Rawalpindi back in 2024, becoming just the second team after Australia to whitewash Pakistan in two consecutive Test series. That earlier series had also marked Bangladesh’s first-ever Test win over Pakistan, a result many considered a watershed moment for Bangladeshi cricket.
What Drove Bangladesh’s Rise
Bangladesh’s climb up the rankings has been powered by strong performances across formats and opponents. In the Sylhet series against Pakistan, left-arm spinner Taijul Islam produced a match-winning six-wicket haul, while veteran campaigners Mushfiqur Rahim and Liton Das contributed crucial runs throughout the series.
In the more recent series against Australia, Bangladesh’s batting and bowling combined effectively in Darwin to produce one of the more unexpected results of the year, even though the team could not sustain that form into the second Test in Mackay.
The Bigger Picture for Both Teams
Bangladesh’s rise has also translated into stronger positioning in the ICC World Test Championship. After their series win over Pakistan in May, Bangladesh moved above India into fifth place in the WTC standings, with a win-loss percentage of 58.33 percent at the time.
Pakistan, meanwhile, has struggled to find consistency in the current WTC cycle. As of the most recent standings, Pakistan sat in ninth position, having suffered five defeats against only two wins in seven matches, reflecting a broader pattern of difficulty in red-ball cricket over the past two years.
What This Means Going Forward
Bangladesh’s sixth-place finish caps a rapid rise for a team that gained Test status in 2000 as the tenth Test-playing nation and spent much of its early history near the bottom of the rankings table. For Pakistan, the latest rankings update adds further pressure on the team’s Test setup, as the gap between the two sides continues to narrow in results, if not yet fully in reputation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bangladesh’s current ICC Test ranking?
Bangladesh currently sits in sixth place with 78 rating points, their highest-ever position in Test cricket.
Where does Pakistan rank now?
Pakistan is in eighth place with 75 rating points, behind Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
When did Bangladesh first overtake Pakistan in the rankings?
Bangladesh first moved above Pakistan in May 2026, after a 2-0 series win over Pakistan in Sylhet.
Has Bangladesh beaten Pakistan in Test cricket before?
Yes. Bangladesh also swept Pakistan 2-0 in a Test series in Rawalpindi in 2024, their first-ever Test series win over Pakistan.
This report is based on reporting from The Business Standard, The Daily Star, and BSS News.
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