As the Asia Cup draws closer to its spectacular finish in Sri Lanka, the competition for the top slot in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup standings is intensifying. Australia no longer holds the top spot in the ODI Team Rankings as a result of their recent loss to South Africa in the third ODI of their series.
Both Pakistan and India have a chance to take the top spot if they play well in the forthcoming 50-over matches with the World Cup set for October 5.
Pakistan
Currently in first place, tied
Rating at present: 118
Future games include Sri Lanka on September 14 and maybe the Asia Cup final on September 17.
Pakistan must defeat Sri Lanka in their final Asia Cup Super Four match in order to clinch the top spot. If they defeat India in the Asia Cup final and win this game, they will have a good chance of becoming the top-ranked team going into the World Cup. Between the Asia Cup and the World Cup, Pakistan won’t play any more One-Day Internationals, but if Australia and India lose rating points in the interim, Pakistan’s prospects may rise.
Australia
Currently in first place, tied
Rating at present: 118
South Africa and India will play their upcoming matches on September 15 and September 17, respectively.
Australia, which is attempting to recover from a recent setback to South Africa, is still in a solid position to contend for the top spot. They would increase their prospects if they were to win the remaining games against South Africa. However, if they drop two of those games, Pakistan and India can gain the upper hand. The results of Australia’s forthcoming series in India will be very important in deciding who will start the World Cup as the top-ranked team.
