Historic series sweep over Pakistan up Bangladesh to seventh in ICC Test Rankings

Bangladesh have climbed to a historic seventh position in the latest ICC Test rankings, following their 2–0 series win and “Banglawash” of Pakistan national cricket team in Sylhet.

The latest update saw Bangladesh move up two places from ninth to seventh, marking their highest-ever position in Test cricket. Their previous best was eighth, achieved in 2018.

The rise comes on the back of a dominant home series, where Bangladesh national cricket team defeated Pakistan 2–0, including a 78-run victory in the second Test at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.

Pakistan, meanwhile, dropped two places from sixth to eighth, while West Indies slipped one spot to ninth.

Bangladesh’s decisive win in Sylhet proved pivotal in the rankings jump. Chasing 121 on the final day, Pakistan were bowled out for 358 in their second innings, handing Bangladesh a comprehensive series sweep.

The final day saw Pakistan resume at 316/7, needing 104 more runs with three wickets in hand. However, disciplined bowling from Bangladesh broke the resistance, with Taijul Islam leading the attack with a six-wicket haul.

Shoriful Islam removed key batter Mohammad Rizwan, who was nearing a century, before Taijul and the rest of the attack wrapped up the innings quickly.

Bangladesh’s bowling unit combined pace and spin effectively throughout the series, with Nahid Rana taking two wickets in the final innings and Mehidy Hasan Miraz also among the wickets.

Cricket analysts say the result reflects a significant shift in Bangladesh’s Test identity, highlighting improved consistency, confidence and performance against higher-ranked opposition.