Bangladesh leapfrogged Zimbabwe in Test rankings for the first time since 2011 after they won the second Test by 162 runs and took an insurmountable 2-0 lead in three-match Test series. The Tigers began the series trailing Zimbabwe by 20 points in rankings but the win in the first two Tests wiped out the deficit and took them ahead of their African rivals. According to a calculation of International Cricket Council, if Bangladesh can win 3-0, they will open a 14-point gap with Zimbabwe.
A 2-0 series win will take them nine points ahead and if Bangladesh lose the third Test in Chittagong, they will remain ahead, albeit by only two points.
Test rankings are crucial because the side that will languish in the 10th position will have to face the ignominy of playing a play-off match against the ICC Intern Continental Cup champions in 2017.
Bangladesh skipper Mushfiqur Rahim, however, did not want to put too much emphasis on the rankings.
‘Ranking is an important thing, but it won’t be right to think too much about it as it will build pressure on us,’ said Mushfiq.
‘I think today [Friday], we have achieved our primary target and to be honest it is harder to hold onto an achievement than achieving it.’
‘We have lots of areas to take care of. There are areas where we need to be better in the future.’
‘We have lots of Tests against the big teams next year. So, for that we would like to end this year on a winning note,’ said Mushfiq.
-With New Age input
