Dubai: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced its latest annual team rankings (ICC rankings) across all formats, bringing a mix of expected outcomes and surprise shifts. Australia has maintained its dominance in Test cricket, holding firm at the top of the ICC Men’s Test Team Rankings with a rating of 126. However, their ranking points have dropped slightly from 15 to 13 following the annual update, which gives full weight to matches played since May 2024 and half weight to those from the prior two years.
England, under the leadership of Ben Stokes, has made a significant move in Test cricket, climbing to second place after a successful year in which they won three out of four series. Their rating now stands at 113, overtaking South Africa and India, who have slipped to third and fourth with ratings of 111 and 105 respectively. The rest of the top ten remains unchanged, with New Zealand in fifth place. Sri Lanka’s performance has improved, pushing them into sixth place, followed by Pakistan in seventh. West Indies, Bangladesh, and Zimbabwe complete the list of the top ten Test teams. Currently, only ten teams are ranked in the Test format, with Ireland needing to play one more match and Afghanistan requiring three more to qualify.
In the One Day International (ODI) format, India has tightened its grip on the top position following a triumphant campaign in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Their rating has increased from 122 to 124. New Zealand, after finishing as runners-up in the tournament, has moved into second place, displacing Australia, who now sit third. Sri Lanka has been one of the most improved sides, rising to fourth place after securing series wins against both India and Australia. This leap saw them overtake both Pakistan, which now holds fifth place with a minor point increase, and South Africa, which dropped to sixth following a four-point loss. Afghanistan has climbed into seventh with a four-point boost, pushing England down to eighth. West Indies enjoyed a five-point gain that elevated them to ninth, while Bangladesh slipped to tenth after losing four points. The United States Men’s team registered the largest rating increase in ODIs with a six-point jump but remains in 15th position. Oman has also progressed, moving ahead of Canada into 16th place, while the rest of the teams have held their positions.
In the T20 International rankings, India continues to lead the table after their recent T20 World Cup win. However, their lead over second-placed Australia has narrowed from ten to nine points. England, the 2022 T20 World Cup champions, are in third place, followed by New Zealand, the West Indies, and South Africa. Sri Lanka’s rise continues as they climb to seventh, overtaking Pakistan, which has now dropped to eighth. Bangladesh and Afghanistan complete the top ten. Ireland improved to eleventh, switching places with Zimbabwe. Among lower-ranked T20 nations, Canada made the most significant rating gain with a nine-point boost that brought them into the top 20. The Bahamas and Estonia also made headlines by recording the biggest positional jumps, climbing to 51st and 61st place respectively.
ICC rankings
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