Bangladesh’s tour of Australia did not end on a positive note. The Tigers suffered an innings defeat against Australia in the Mackay Test, with the match ending within just two days. Despite the disappointing result, Bangladesh have created a new chapter in their cricketing history by climbing to sixth place in the ICC Test rankings for the first time.
In the latest Test rankings updated on the ICC website today, Bangladesh have moved up three places. With 1,878 points from 24 matches, Bangladesh now have a rating of 78. Previously, their highest-ever position in the Test rankings was seventh, which they achieved in 2024 after defeating Pakistan 2-0 in a Test series on Pakistani soil.
Bangladesh have now moved ahead of Sri Lanka, Pakistan, West Indies and Zimbabwe. As a result of Bangladesh’s rise, Sri Lanka have slipped to seventh, Pakistan to eighth and West Indies to ninth.
Australia remain at the top of the Test rankings with a rating of 126, while South Africa are second with 119. New Zealand, India and England occupy the remaining positions in the top five. There has been no change among the top five teams.
Bangladesh’s significant rise in the rankings came after the two-match Test series against Australia ended 1-1. Bangladesh stunned Australia by winning the opening Test in Darwin by nine wickets.
The victory sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. However, Bangladesh could not secure a series win as Australia bounced back strongly in Mackay to level the series.
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain considers the rise in the Test rankings a major achievement. Speaking after the Mackay Test, he said, “It’s good news, definitely good news. It would have been even better if we had played good cricket in this Test match. But reaching sixth place in Test cricket for the first time is a huge achievement.”