A History of Pakistan's Test Rankings - 1950s to Present

[Ironcat]

All the way from 1952 to 2012.

Note that the official rankings didn't start until 2002/2003, but you can use the algorithm to go back in time and apply the rankings retrospectively.

First, the rankings:


Then, the rating points:


You can run the ranking history to your own devices using the following tool:
http://icc-cricket.yahoo.net/match_z...rch_submit.php

[Ironcat]

Some observations:
- That #1 ranking was under Imran in August 1988
- Our recent resurgence in rating points has not quite translated into actual rankings yet

[Statsman]

What's a retrospective rank? And any idea how they determined them?

[Ironcat]

^^ For the second observation, I think you need to sustain your points above before ranking improve - and not to mention how everyone else is performing.

[Ironcat]

Originally Posted by Statsman What's a retrospective rank? And any idea how they determined them?

Whatever formula they use for the matches today, they take it back in time and apply it on games in the past. As if the formula existed from 1950s onwards.

[omairsiddiqui]

Quite representative of the volatility in Pakistan cricket. Would be interesting to compare to Australia's graph.

[Lachrymose]

So the stability in high rankings of the Pakistani test team was from the late 80's to mid 90's. Interesting.

Our current rank number and points are slowly climbing up. Hopefully, we can break into the top 3 soon.

[Ironcat]

Last time Pakistan reached #2 in rankings was in mid-90s. Baby steps, but the upside is substantial from here.

[liaqat]

im surprised we wernt number 2 ranked in the late 90's .
under wasim,

[Ironcat]

Originally Posted by liaqat im surprised we wernt number 2 ranked in the late 90's . under wasim,

That was mid 90s. And Wasim didn't get us there, we were already there from Imran's days and then under Miandad/Saleem Malik after.

Under Wasim, we had a huge drop in our test rankings. Lost to Zimbos, NZ, SL, and can't remember how many other test fiascos.

[wrongun]

Originally Posted by omairsiddiqui Quite representative of the volatility in Pakistan cricket. Would be interesting to compare to Australia's graph.

[justbetter]

^^ impressive climb from rank 7 to rank 1 in about 5 years!! AB is a legend

[wrongun]

AB is a legend.

but these rankings are a bit wonky. Australia weren't REALLY champs until they beat WI in 1995, nor did any other team deserve to knock them off for those little dips around the year 2000. Oz were still far & away the best team at that time.

[shan]

How did India become number 1 in 1995? Cant take this ranking seriously.

[ethan hunt]

.

[dani2k]

So India has been #1 thrice in history apart from once after the rankings came into existence...nice

[Monsee]

Originally Posted by Ironcat Last time Pakistan reached #2 in rankings was in mid-90s. Baby steps, but the upside is substantial from here.

I am quite sure we were ranked Number 2 under Inzi too, right after that England series in Pak (2005)

[Statsman]

India...not bad eh?
india.JPG

[ethan hunt]

Originally Posted by Monsee I am quite sure we were ranked Number 2 under Inzi too, right after that England series in Pak (2005)

exactly. finally someone who remembers , i was beginning to think my memory was failing me .. all the more reason to believe this is highly flawed and quite possibly inacurate..

[Free Hit]

Originally Posted by Statsman India...not bad eh? Attachment 25020

home away home away home away....

[Statsman]

Originally Posted by Free Hit home away home away home away....

chalo kahin toh acha khelte hain

[Ironcat]

Originally Posted by ethan hunt exactly. finally someone who remembers , i was beginning to think my memory was failing me .. all the more reason to believe this is highly flawed and quite possibly inacurate..

The retrospective rankings only apply pre-2002. What you see above from 2002 onwards are the ACTUAL rankings. Pakistan were never number 2 in 2000s.

[Ironcat]

Originally Posted by wrongun AB is a legend. but these rankings are a bit wonky. Australia weren't REALLY champs until they beat WI in 1995, nor did any other team deserve to knock them off for those little dips around the year 2000. Oz were still far & away the best team at that time.

Rankings are a proxy for being the "champs" or the best team - test rankings anyways. They live by a formula - and the formula works regardless of how you and I may feel.

My much bigger bone to pick with these rankings is the complete disregard for an away/neutral win vs the one at home.