Pakistan missed opportunity to become number one ODI team in the world

Pakistan's loss against New Zealand in the 2nd ODI in Karachi cost them number one ODI ranking

Pakistan lost the opportunity to become number one ODI team in the world after the loss against New Zealand in the all important second ODI at National Bank Cricket Arena Karachi. Pakistan was climbed to second spot in the ICC ranking after defeating the New Zealand in the first ODI. Pakistan dropped to one place to third in the ranking.

Pakistan next face the Kiwis in the series decider in Karachi on Friday. If Pakistan wins the match, they will finally have a home series win. However, they will not get to rise to the top of the ODI rankings.

New Zealand’s victory against Pakistan made it the number one ranked team in the ICC ranking. The 3-0 victory in the series against New Zealand was necessary to clinch the number one spot. But Pakistan lost the second ODI after winning the first ODI against New Zealand.

Pakistan, led by Babar Azam was confident to take the limited-overs series away from the Blackcaps and climbing the ladder to become the number one ODI team. Pakistan team was confident white wash the Kiwis after convincingly winning the first ODI. But New Zealand turned the tables in the second ODI.

Pakistan won the opening match of the series by six wickets, with the top spot firmly in their sights. However, a comprehensive 79-run defeat in the second ODI has put a spanner in the works.

The Super League rankings are important because seven top ranked teams directly qualified for the 50 overs World Cup. The next ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 is scheduled in India in October 2023. The hosts along and other top seven teams will qualify automatically for the World Cup. The bottom five teams will play a qualifying tournament, which will also feature the lower ranked teams.

 On the basis of the current rankings, Pakistan, England, New Zealand, Australia, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and West Indies would qualify for the next world cup. India has already qualified as the host of ICC Men ODI world cup in 2023.

                                                                       Khalid Bhatti