England vs Pakistan Cricket Standings 2026: A Format-by-Format Breakdown
The rivalry between England and Pakistan has always been fierce, but the current standings paint a story of contrasting fortunes across formats. While Pakistan are surging in ODI cricket and England remain a T20I powerhouse, the Test arena has produced a historic low for one side. Here is where the two teams stand as of late October 2026.
ODI Standings: Pakistan Soar, England Slump
Pakistan have climbed to 4th place in the ICC Men’s ODI Team Rankings with 103 rating points from 34 matches, following consecutive victories over Sri Lanka and England in the ongoing tri-series. Their 87-run win over England in Rawalpindi was a statement performance, and they now sit just one point behind third-placed South Africa.
England, by contrast, have dropped to 8th place with 93 rating points from 36 matches. Back-to-back defeats to Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the same tri-series saw them overtaken by Afghanistan, who climbed to 7th with 94 points. This represents a significant low for a side that was once a dominant force in white-ball cricket.
ICC ODI Rankings Snapshot (Top 8)
| Position | Team | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | 115 |
| 2 | New Zealand | 109 |
| 3 | South Africa | 104 |
| 4 | Pakistan | 103 |
| 5 | Australia | 102 |
| 6 | Sri Lanka | 95 |
| 7 | Afghanistan | 94 |
| 8 | England | 93 |
Test Standings: England’s Whitewash, Pakistan’s Historic Low
The Test arena tells a completely different story. England completed a 3-0 series whitewash over Pakistan in September 2026, winning the third Test at Edgbaston by eight wickets. Despite this dominant on-field performance, England remain 5th in the ICC Test rankings with a rating of 102.
For Pakistan, the series defeat had severe consequences. They dropped to 9th place with a rating of 71, which is their lowest-ever position in the format. Only Zimbabwe, who play very little Test cricket, sit below them.
ICC Test Rankings Snapshot (Top 9)
| Position | Team | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australia | 126 |
| 2 | South Africa | 119 |
| 3 | New Zealand | 106 |
| 4 | India | 105 |
| 5 | England | 102 |
| 6 | Bangladesh | 78 |
| 7 | Sri Lanka | 75 |
| 8 | West Indies | 74 |
| 9 | Pakistan | 71 |
T20I Standings: England on Top
In the shortest format, England hold the upper hand. They are currently ranked 1st in the world in T20Is. Pakistan sit in 6th place. While the gap is significant, Pakistan remain a dangerous side in T20 cricket, and the format’s volatility means standings can shift quickly.
Head-to-Head Record: A Historic English Advantage
Despite Pakistan’s recent ODI surge, England hold the overall advantage in the historical head-to-head record between the two sides.
In ODIs, across 93 completed matches, England have won 57 compared to Pakistan’s 33, with three no-results. Pakistan’s recent victories have begun to narrow the gap, but England’s historical dominance remains clear.
In Tests, England also lead with 31 wins to Pakistan’s 25, with 39 matches drawn. The recent 3-0 whitewash has extended that advantage.
Recent ODI Tri-Series: A Microcosm of the Rivalry
The ongoing ODI tri-series involving Pakistan, England, and Sri Lanka has been the immediate context for the latest rankings shifts. Pakistan have been dominant, winning both of their opening matches, while England have struggled, losing both of theirs.
Pakistan’s 87-run victory over England was built on disciplined bowling and a defendable total, while their one-wicket win in a later encounter demonstrated their ability to handle pressure. England, meanwhile, have been unable to adapt to subcontinental conditions, a concern acknowledged by white-ball head coach Brendon McCullum.
Summary: A Format-by-Format Power Shift
The standings between England and Pakistan in October 2026 reflect a fascinating format-by-format power shift.
- ODI cricket: Pakistan are ascendant, using head-to-head victories to climb to 4th, while England are in a concerning slump at 8th.
- Test cricket: England’s on-field dominance has not yet translated into a higher ranking, but it has pushed Pakistan to a historic low at 9th.
- T20I cricket: England remain the team to beat, sitting at 1st, with Pakistan in 6th.
The rivalry remains as compelling as ever, with the balance of power now shifting format by format. For England, the challenge is to arrest their ODI decline; for Pakistan, the task is to build on their white-ball momentum while rebuilding their Test side.
