Cricket Rankings: India A Win Away From No. 1 Spot, Pakistan Stay Third

It's good news for cricket's arch-rivals India and Pakistan as far the International Cricket Council's latest Test rankings. After their 10-wicket win at the Oval, Pakistan remain at No. 3 position while India are No. 2 behind Australia.

India have a very good chance to becoming No. 1 when the next cycle of rankings are out. Already 2-0 ahead in the four-Test series in the Caribbean, Virat Kohli's team will be No. 1 if they can win the fourth Test at Trinidad starting August 18.

Pakistan have remained in third position but could rise to number-one depending on how the Colombo Test between Sri Lanka and Australia and the fourth Test between the West Indies and India in Port-of-Spain pan out.

Following a 2-all series draw, both Pakistan and England have maintained their pre-series points of 111 and 108, respectively. However, if Sri Lanka beat Australia by 2-0 or better, then Australia will slip behind Pakistan, which would move to second.

The highest Pakistan has ever reached is second position following its series win over England in the United Arab Emirates last year.

India undoubtedly have the best chance to finish on top. They need to win the Port of Spain Test to reclaim the number-one ranking which it had conceded to Australia following Australia's 2-0 series win over New Zealand in February this year.

Scenarios:

Australia No. 1: Australia need to win Colombo Test and West Indies need to win or draw Port of Spain Test.

India No.1: India need to win Port-of-Spain Test.

Pakistan No.1: Sri Lanka and West Indies need to win or draw Colombo and Port of Spain Tests, respectively.