The International Cricket Council (ICC) has released its 2026 annual rankings update, providing a significant boost for the Bangladesh women’s national cricket team. In the latest standings, the team led by Nigar Sultana Joty has climbed one spot to secure the seventh position in the Women’s One Day International (ODI) rankings, successfully overtaking Pakistan.
Methodology of the Annual Update
While the ICC updates rankings regularly following bilateral series and major tournaments, the annual update held every May carries unique weight. It recalibrates the standings by evaluating a three-year performance cycle. For the 2026 update, matches played between 1 May 2025 and 30 April 2026 are weighted at 100 per cent. Conversely, performances from the preceding two years are weighted at 50 per cent. This systematic shift ensures that recent form is prioritised while maintaining a reflection of long-term consistency.
Women’s ODI Standings
In the women’s category, the top six positions remain unchanged. Australia continues their overwhelming dominance at the summit with 163 points, maintaining a substantial lead over second-placed England (128 points) and third-placed India (126 points). Bangladesh’s rise to seventh place with 73 points represents the most notable movement within the top tier.
ICC Women’s ODI Annual Rankings 2026 (Top 10)
| Rank | Team | Points | Status |
| 1 | Australia | 163 | Unchanged |
| 2 | England | 128 | Unchanged |
| 3 | India | 126 | Unchanged |
| 4 | South Africa | 100 | Unchanged |
| 5 | New Zealand | 93 | Unchanged |
| 6 | Sri Lanka | 89 | Unchanged |
| 7 | Bangladesh | 73 | Up 1 Place |
| 8 | Pakistan | – | Down 1 Place |
| 9 | West Indies | – | Unchanged |
| 10 | Ireland | – | Unchanged |
Men’s Test Rankings: India Reclaims Third Spot
Parallel to the women’s update, the ICC also published the annual Test rankings for men. Australia remains the top-ranked Test side in the world with 131 points. South Africa, the reigning World Test Championship winners, retained their second position with 119 points.
The most significant shift in the Test rankings occurred in the third position. India (104 points) has successfully displaced England (102 points) to claim the third spot. Further down the table, Pakistan moved up to sixth place, causing Sri Lanka to drop to seventh. Bangladesh maintains its ninth-place standing in the longest format of the game.
ICC Men’s Test Annual Rankings 2026 (Top 10)
| Rank | Team | Points | Status |
| 1 | Australia | 131 | Unchanged |
| 2 | South Africa | 119 | Unchanged |
| 3 | India | 104 | Up 1 Place |
| 4 | England | 102 | Down 1 Place |
| 5 | New Zealand | – | Unchanged |
| 6 | Pakistan | – | Up 1 Place |
| 7 | Sri Lanka | – | Down 1 Place |
| 8 | West Indies | – | Unchanged |
| 9 | Bangladesh | – | Unchanged |
| 10 | Zimbabwe | – | Unchanged |
Participation Criteria and Future Updates
The 2026 update saw Ireland removed from the Test rankings table as they failed to meet the minimum requirement of playing eight Test matches within the specified period. To regain their ranking, both Ireland and Afghanistan must compete in at least two Test matches over the coming twelve months.
The ICC has confirmed that the annual updates for other formats are forthcoming. The Men’s and Women’s T20I rankings are scheduled for release on 5 May, followed by the Men’s ODI annual update on 7 May.
