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The first Test saw Pakistan take a small first innings lead of 21 runs.� Sri Lanka then dominated the second innings and left Pakistan a final innings target of 418 runs.� Pakistan only managed to put together 216 of those runs.
The second Test saw Pakistan set a more significant first innings lead of 270 runs.� While Sri Lanka lost only three wickets in erasing that deficit, they were unable to go on with their innings and set a competitive final innings target.� Pakistan recovered from an early stumble to comfortably win the Test by 6 wickets.
The major question arising from this series is ... where is the third and deciding Test?� One of the concessions the International Cricket Council made in creating a ten-year program for Test cricket is that a Test series need only involve a minimum of two Tests.�
A two Test series may be appropriate for nations playing other nations that are more than four positions below them.� However, series such as between Pakistan and Sri Lanka are currently competitive enough to deserve a deciding Test.
Pakistan's drawn series against Sri Lanka ensures they retain fourth place in the Test cricket ratings with 1076 points.� However, Pakistan was expected to achieve a better result in the series.�
Pakistan has maintained a relatively stable rating over the past four years.� Pakistan's rating has moved with a tight band of 30 rating points, between 1057 and 1087 points.� For most of this period, Pakistan has been ranked third in the ratings.
South Africa has been similarly stable, with movement over a 31 rating point band.� All other nations have had far more volatility in their rating over the period.� The average variation for other nations over the period has been 68 points, more than double that of Pakistan and South Africa.
While South Africa has been able to comfortably hold on to second place in the ratings over the past four years, Pakistan has not been so lucky.� In April 2004, Pakistan dropped from third place into fourth place, as a resurgent England climbed past them.� In addition, Pakistan's grip on fourth place is looking increasingly tenuous, with India and Sri Lanka having moved within striking distance.� Either nation could climb past Pakistan over the next year.
Pakistan's drawn series against Sri Lanka does not bode well for their upcoming three Test tour of Australia in December.� Australia smashed Sri Lanka 4-0 with one draw in their five Tests earlier in 2004.� A loss in a series whitewash to Australia would see Pakistan inevitably sink to fifth place in the ratings for the first time since 1982.
For their part, Sri Lanka has increased their rating by 67 points over the past four years - right on average.� Sri Lanka's rating has climbed from 982 points to a national record high of 1049 points, set in November 2002.� Sri Lanka retains sixth place in the ratings with 1045 points, which is Sri Lanka's second highest rating in their 24 year Test cricket history.
Sri Lanka completed the series in Pakistan without their star off spinner, Muralitharan, yet still managed to perform above expectations.� Sri Lanka's next Test series occurs later in November, against Bangladesh.� Sri Lanka would be expected to pick up five more ratings points in a series whitewash.� They will meet their next opponent of significance in a two Test tour of New Zealand in January 2005.
The latest Test cricket ratings are: 1. Australia (1236); 2. South Africa (1136); 3. England (1125); 4. Pakistan (1076); 5. India (1056); 6. Sri Lanka (1045); 7. New Zealand (1028); 8. West Indies (967); 9. Zimbabwe (881); 10. Bangladesh (787).
