New Zealand tops ICC Test Rankings with 118 points

Victory over Pakistan has sent Kane Williamson’s side New Zealand to the top of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test Team Rankings.

According to ICC, New Zealand has achieved the feat for the first time in rankings history.

New Zealand now have 118 points and leading the charts. Kane Williamson has played a major role in New Zealand’s rise to the top. Williamson leapfrogged that formidable duo with three centuries, including two double centuries in his last six innings. They have achieved the feat for the first time in rankings history.

Moreover, Australia with 116 points stands at second spot followed by India (114), England (106), and South Africa (96).

Pakistan resumed on the fourth morning at 8/1, after New Zealand had posted a mammoth lead of 362.

Pakistan was bowled out for 186 in the second innings against Kiwis at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. Black Caps pacer Kyle Jamieson had also taken five wickets in the first innings and in the end, he finished the match with a total of 11 wickets.

Pakistan V New Zealand 2nd Test squads

Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (C), Abid Ali, Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam, Imran Butt, Haris Sohail, Shan Masood, Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Mohd Abbas, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Sohail Khan and Yasir Shah.

New Zealand: Kane Williamson (C), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Will Young, Mitchell Santner, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, Tom Latham, BJ Watling, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner and Trent Boult.