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Congratulations to Pakistan on becoming the #1 ranked ODI side

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Pakistan could receive a further boost just weeks out from the start of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup with Babar Azam's in-form side just one win away from claiming the No.1 ODI team ranking.

Pakistan clinched an exciting one-wicket victory over Afghanistan in Hambantota on Thursday and in the process clinched an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-game series.

That improved Pakistan's ODI team rating just short of first-placed Australia and the Asian side could claim the premier position as the No.1 ranked one-day side as early as Saturday with a victory over Afghanistan in the third and final match of their series.

That would prove a huge boost for Pakistan on the eve of this year's 50-over showcase, with Babar's side among the favourites to claim a second World Cup title in India this year.

Pakistan's sole success at the World Cup came back in 1992 in Australia and the Asian nation could enter this year's edition with the No.1 ODI team ranking if they can continue on their recent upward curve.

In 10 ODI matches this year Pakistan have lost just three - all against New Zealand - and their form with both bat and ball during the ongoing Afghanistan series has them on the cusp of claiming the top ranking from Australia.

Pakistan also boast some of the highest ranked ODI players, with Babar leading the way in the MRF Tyres ODI Batter rankings and teammates Imam-ul-Haq (third) and Fakhar Zaman (fifth) not far behind.

Following the completion of the series against Afghanistan, Pakistan will take part in the 2023 Asia Cup and their first match in that six-team tournament comes against Nepal in Multan on August 30.

They then take on New Zealand and Australia in official warm-up fixtures for the World Cup, with their first clash at this year’s tournament coming against the Netherlands in Hyderabad on October 6.

ICC
 
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Very impressive and well-deserved. Look like outright WC favourites to me unless Australia shed their conservatism and select/strategise better. Only they have the personnel to challenge PAK.

A far cry from the joke Pakistani sides in 2011, 2015 and 2019.
 
England, Pakistan and India are my favorites for this World Cup imo.
 
Nikhil_cric said:
Very impressive and well-deserved. Look like outright WC favourites to me unless Australia shed their conservatism and select/strategise better. Only they have the personnel to challenge PAK.

A far cry from the joke Pakistani sides in 2011, 2015 and 2019.
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In 2011 they were semi-finalists and dropped catches to not make it to the final. It was a pretty good side.

In 2019, missed out on the knockouts by the barest of margins and had a very good side, much of which is playing now.
 
owenhcricket said:
In 2011 they were semi-finalists and dropped catches to not make it to the final. It was a pretty good side.

In 2019, missed out on the knockouts by the barest of margins and had a very good side, much of which is playing now.
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2011 was a terrible batting unit and even collapsed against minnows in the group stages. Afridi was in unreal form with the ball or you might have lost those as well. Also had Shehzad, YK, Misbah and Asad Shafiq - all terrible ODI batters and Junaid who barely played.

2019 was decent but you had Hasan Ali bowling terribly, an unused Hasnain, past it Sarfraz as captain, Malik, Asif Ali . Also, they had lost miserable for 2 years before the World Cup

This time your squad of 15 could be the strongest Pakistan squad in your ODI history and they have a winning record ss well.
 
Ya I agree this is the b at
Nikhil_cric said:
2011 was a terrible batting unit and even collapsed against minnows in the group stages. Afridi was in unreal form with the ball or you might have lost those as well. Also had Shehzad, YK, Misbah and Asad Shafiq - all terrible ODI batters and Junaid who barely played.

2019 was decent but you had Hasan Ali bowling terribly, an unused Hasnain, past it Sarfraz as captain, Malik, Asif Ali . Also, they had lost miserable for 2 years before the World Cup

This time your squad of 15 could be the strongest Pakistan squad in your ODI history and they have a winning record ss well.
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Ya I agree, this is the best Pakistan World Cup side since 1999. 2003 was an aged squad although strong on paper. 2007 was poor, as they missed key players to injury. 2011 they exceeded expectations and punched above their weight, otherwise the side wasn't exactly that good. 2015 was pathetic. 2019 was OK.

This time Pakistan have a very balanced and stable team with a terrific pace bowling attack. Their only weakness could be a potent wicket taking spinner which they lack.
 
Nikhil_cric said:
2011 was a terrible batting unit and even collapsed against minnows in the group stages. Afridi was in unreal form with the ball or you might have lost those as well. Also had Shehzad, YK, Misbah and Asad Shafiq - all terrible ODI batters and Junaid who barely played.

2019 was decent but you had Hasan Ali bowling terribly, an unused Hasnain, past it Sarfraz as captain, Malik, Asif Ali . Also, they had lost miserable for 2 years before the World Cup

This time your squad of 15 could be the strongest Pakistan squad in your ODI history and they have a winning record ss well.
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This is not our strongest squad in odi history, that honor goes to our 1999 wc team even though they didn't win.

Pakistan is making the same mistake that it made in the 2015 world cup and 2017 champions trophy early on, and that is having key players as water boys while bits and pieces cricketers who have failed in positions are being played.

In 2015 it was an insistence of an out of form nasir jamshed, rather then having an inform prime sarfraz open, by the time sarfraz was brought in, it was too late since failing against aus meant an insta KO.

In 2017 it was an overreliance on an out of form Ahmed shezad as an opener rather then using an inform fakhar zaman, when falhar was brought in, the whole score of the tournament changed.

We're making the same mistake now, we're utilising rizwan at 4, agha at 5 without bowling him and chacha at 6 and shadab at 7.

We shpuld instead have saud at 4, replace agha with tayyab with agha is not gonna bowl, have imad waseem and haris in the lower middle order and move shadab at 8 with rizwan playing at no 5.

A bowling attack of imad waseem, Shadab Khan, Haris, Naseem, Rauf and either Zaman Khan if wicket is for pace or abrar if wicket is for spin will do wonders.

But pcb will make the same mistake again.
 
mominsaigol said:
This is not our strongest squad in odi history, that honor goes to our 1999 wc team even though they didn't win.

Pakistan is making the same mistake that it made in the 2015 world cup and 2017 champions trophy early on, and that is having key players as water boys while bits and pieces cricketers who have failed in positions are being played.

In 2015 it was an insistence of an out of form nasir jamshed, rather then having an inform prime sarfraz open, by the time sarfraz was brought in, it was too late since failing against aus meant an insta KO.

In 2017 it was an overreliance on an out of form Ahmed shezad as an opener rather then using an inform fakhar zaman, when falhar was brought in, the whole score of the tournament changed.

We're making the same mistake now, we're utilising rizwan at 4, agha at 5 without bowling him and chacha at 6 and shadab at 7.

We shpuld instead have saud at 4, replace agha with tayyab with agha is not gonna bowl, have imad waseem and haris in the lower middle order and move shadab at 8 with rizwan playing at no 5.

A bowling attack of imad waseem, Shadab Khan, Haris, Naseem, Rauf and either Zaman Khan if wicket is for pace or abrar if wicket is for spin will do wonders.

But pcb will make the same mistake again.
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I said this "could" be. I'll wait until the final squad is selected.

1999 first XI was impressive. The whole squad wasn't. Salim Malik, Mushtaq Ahmed and Waqar Younis in 1999 probably should not have made the squad considering their terrible form.

Also, Wajahatullah Wasti was just not good enough .

In a long tournament, you need good back up players or you'll tire your main XI to exhaustion.
 
Nikhil_cric said:
I said this "could" be. I'll wait until the final squad is selected.

1999 first XI was impressive. The whole squad wasn't. Salim Malik, Mushtaq Ahmed and Waqar Younis in 1999 probably should not have made the squad considering their terrible form.

Also, Wajahatullah Wasti was just not good enough .

In a long tournament, you need good back up players or you'll tire your main XI to exhaustion.
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I still think 1999 wc squad was stronger and more sorted.

Our current squad has problems that need to be addressed mainly:

1) Fakhar: I've never seen a cricketers who can score 3 back to back centuries including a 180 and then in the next matches immediately go out of form.

2) Imam: Becomes a liability by over 40, or just gets out altogether.

3) Babar: Problems against spin

4) Rizwan: Just not a no 4 player.

5) Usama: Not being able to dominate on spinning pitches is worrying especially if shadab is performing miracles.

6) Inzimam's insistence on faheem ahraf being in the squad.

Our bowling otherwise is solid, not sure about agha yet, 2 failures with the bat isn't enough to write him off especially considering his stroke play against fast and spin is good, as for chacha: he simply shouldn't bowl nor should he be in the team, Haris needs to take no 7, haris is young, can develop and is a future investment. 45 year old chacha is done.

As much as people hated Imam's quotes in twitter, he was right about chacha, shouldn't be in the odi squad.
 
mominsaigol said:
I still think 1999 wc squad was stronger and more sorted.

Our current squad has problems that need to be addressed mainly:

1) Fakhar: I've never seen a cricketers who can score 3 back to back centuries including a 180 and then in the next matches immediately go out of form.

2) Imam: Becomes a liability by over 40, or just gets out altogether.

3) Babar: Problems against spin

4) Rizwan: Just not a no 4 player.

5) Usama: Not being able to dominate on spinning pitches is worrying especially if shadab is performing miracles.

6) Inzimam's insistence on faheem ahraf being in the squad.

Our bowling otherwise is solid, not sure about agha yet, 2 failures with the bat isn't enough to write him off especially considering his stroke play against fast and spin is good, as for chacha: he simply shouldn't bowl nor should he be in the team, Haris needs to take no 7, haris is young, can develop and is a future investment. 45 year old chacha is done.

As much as people hated Imam's quotes in twitter, he was right about chacha, shouldn't be in the odi squad.
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Yeah Faheem is a terrible selection. And Iftikhar can neither hit spin nor run twos etc.

I think the squad will be more well rounded though. I just think PAK need to put Tayyab at 4, Rizwan at 5 and Agha at 6 and see how it goes.

If you don't have a quality attacking spinner, just go for the extra fast bowler. Won't do any harm.
 
Iftikhar was part of the trio I termed KIA, and said St the time they should not be anywhere near first 11. He is block and slog player in white ball which is very poor strategy, although he has better technique than Khushdil and Asif, but I would prefer more versatile player in the team. Shadab showed you can score quick runs even if you are not greeting hit me bowls, Iftikhar started off his inning iin a test format yesterday. At a time when you needed to score atleast run a bowl.
 
Nikhil_cric said:
Yeah Faheem is a terrible selection. And Iftikhar can neither hit spin nor run twos etc.

I think the squad will be more well rounded though. I just think PAK need to put Tayyab at 4, Rizwan at 5 and Agha at 6 and see how it goes.

If you don't have a quality attacking spinner, just go for the extra fast bowler. Won't do any harm.
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We have a quality spinner, an extremely good spinner who can spin the ball and perform all sorts of variations with offspin. Abrar is literally saeed ajmal quality except his action is legal and isn't chucking.

People who are rating usama mir need to realise that usama mir is simply just a leg spinner who bowls traditional leg spin which makes him predictable. He can't bowl googly or do anything different. Shadab has variation but has problems with control. Usama mir has good control, even if he's had 2 bad games but he has no variation. He's never gonna be that wicket taker bowler, just maybe pick 1 per game, if he's having a good day he'll pick up 2 or 3, but he's just gonna provide you economy on his day and get thrashed when not in form
 
PakPremi said:
Iftikhar was part of the trio I termed KIA, and said St the time they should not be anywhere near first 11. He is block and slog player in white ball which is very poor strategy, although he has better technique than Khushdil and Asif, but I would prefer more versatile player in the team. Shadab showed you can score quick runs even if you are not greeting hit me bowls, Iftikhar started off his inning iin a test format yesterday. At a time when you needed to score atleast run a bowl.
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Iftikhar can't play spin, Imam was right about this guy. Pakistani fans are impatient, they think one good game of good hitting justifies 50 failed games.

Iftikhar has never been a game changer, but I am not suprised, since asif Ali dominating Afghanistan in one game convinced our fans that he's the next Butler. Despite him failing 25+ games prior and then failing 10+ games after Afghanistan thrashing.

Our fans ignore consistency for occasional once in a blue moon bazball bashing.
 
Ranking aside, a top order of Imam, Fakhar, Babar, Rizwan is far from world class.

Given them all 100 balls and you will get run a ball at best.
 
Concerned said:
Ranking aside, a top order of Imam, Fakhar, Babar, Rizwan is far from world class.

Given them all 100 balls and you will get run a ball at best.
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Lmao and this is what you're complaining about?

I'm guessing you're new to cricket and weren't here for the legacy 35-3 (10) we had every single game in the Misbah era.
 
hitthestump said:
Lmao and this is what you're complaining about?

I'm guessing you're new to cricket and weren't here for the legacy 35-3 (10) we had every single game in the Misbah era.
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The horrifying Misbah era is irrelevant, it was pre “modern day cricket”. Being 35-3 in the PP overs wasn’t ideal but you’d still have a chance to post 200 odd runs and still be in a chance to win the game especially with our bowlers and the one ball rule.

Now it’s completely different, the average totals are no longer mid 200’s, the pitches are favouring the batsmen more, the 2 new ball rule is favouring the batsmen, teams are now looking to score 330 plus. You cannot expect to be going at a run a ball, lose your wicket in the last 10 overs and then expect a new batsman to come in and go all guns blazing.
 
Nikhil_cric said:
Very impressive and well-deserved. Look like outright WC favourites to me unless Australia shed their conservatism and select/strategise better. Only they have the personnel to challenge PAK.

A far cry from the joke Pakistani sides in 2011, 2015 and 2019.
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England is a better side than us without question.

Australia may not be better but is guaranteed to defeat us if we face them.

India isn't a great side atm, but that game is a different animal altogether. The huge pressure will be unlike anything either of the 2 sides have faced in their careers.

Based on quality of players, we should make the semis this time but it won't be easy.
 
sam_ahm said:
Ya I agree this is the b at

Ya I agree, this is the best Pakistan World Cup side since 1999. 2003 was an aged squad although strong on paper. 2007 was poor, as they missed key players to injury. 2011 they exceeded expectations and punched above their weight, otherwise the side wasn't exactly that good. 2015 was pathetic. 2019 was OK.

This time Pakistan have a very balanced and stable team with a terrific pace bowling attack. Their only weakness could be a potent wicket taking spinner which they lack.
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Babar's form doesn't look the best to me. He needs to be at his absolute best if we are to produce consistent outputs.
 
Marooned said:
England is a better side than us without question.

Australia may not be better but is guaranteed to defeat us if we face them.

India isn't a great side atm, but that game is a different animal altogether. The huge pressure will be unlike anything either of the 2 sides have faced in their careers.

Based on quality of players, we should make the semis this time but it won't be easy.
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Anything less than an SF experience would be a disastrous outcome for PAK
 
Nikhil_cric said:
2011 was a terrible batting unit and even collapsed against minnows in the group stages. Afridi was in unreal form with the ball or you might have lost those as well. Also had Shehzad, YK, Misbah and Asad Shafiq - all terrible ODI batters and Junaid who barely played.

2019 was decent but you had Hasan Ali bowling terribly, an unused Hasnain, past it Sarfraz as captain, Malik, Asif Ali . Also, they had lost miserable for 2 years before the World Cup

This time your squad of 15 could be the strongest Pakistan squad in your ODI history and they have a winning record ss well.
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The results don't lie...
 
The rankings are Irrelevant and the thing that matters is the WC. The team that wins the WC deserve to be number 1
 
England and Australia with their mental strength and big hitters area better team than Pakistan, Pakistan are joint third with India. India have more talented batsmen and Pakistan more talented bowlers.
 
No. 1 side without bench strength in batting? Rankings don't really reflect much
 
Perfect timing to peak in this format. Pakistan are doing it right.

Surely they have jumped to favorites status for Asia Cup and WC.
 
Have Pakistan picked the right side for the 3rd ODI - in a must win game to gain that ranking?
 
Zaka Ashraf, Chairman of the PCB Management Committee, extends his heartiest congratulations to the Pakistan men’s cricket team on their remarkable achievement of securing the No. 1 ranking in the ICC ODI Team Rankings. This outstanding feat comes on the heels of a sensational 3-0 series victory against Afghanistan, showcasing Pakistan's exceptional skill, determination, and unwavering commitment to the sport.

Mr Zaka Ashraf said: “This achievement reflects the hard work, dedication, and unity exhibited by our talented players and their unwavering focus on excellence. It is a proud moment for all of us as Pakistan cricket team reclaim the top spot in the ODI rankings.

“I also want to congratulate and laud the efforts of the entire squad, coaching staff, and support personnel for their collective commitment to raising the flag of Pakistan high in the world of cricket.

“The passion and enthusiasm of our fans have been instrumental in motivating our players to push their limits and achieve extraordinary feats. Achieving the top spot is a great example of our team reciprocating the love shown by the fans all across the world.

“We have Asia Cup and World Cup coming in the future, so we are determined to maintain this position and continue to excel across all formats of the game. Our journey has just begun, and I am confident that with the collective efforts of our players, management, and fans, Pakistan cricket will continue to scale new heights and bring more glory to our beloved nation.”
 
About to enter an Asia Cup and World Cup back to back potentially as the #1 ranked side...

Let's see how the side deals with expectation.
 
Concerned said:
Ranking aside, a top order of Imam, Fakhar, Babar, Rizwan is far from world class.

Given them all 100 balls and you will get run a ball at best.
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If fakhar survives to play 100 balls, then you're getting a 120× strike rate from him by the time he's play 100 deliveries lol.
 
I don't agree with icc faulty rankings. However pakistan is definitely a contender for 2023 wc something I thought was absent in 2015 and 2019.

We still need to iron out middle order, the rest is solid.
 
It’s a bit of an empty achievement considering how little bilateral ODI cricket is played most sides.
 
Concerned said:
How often is Fakhar surviving 100 balls these days?
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Bro, you said If fakhar plays 100 balls he's only scoring 100, I'm just correcting you, anytime he's managed to play 100 balls, his score is always 120 something.
 
Delighted about this, but I'd rather it had come after beating an England, India or Australia :)
 
Congrats!
Can anyone shed light on how the ranking algorithm works? Lots of commenters saying Pak benefited from playing weaker sides, but is the algorithm sensitive to the strength of opponents? And did Pak really have weaker opponents than the rest?
 
sam_ahm said:
Ya I agree this is the b at

Ya I agree, this is the best Pakistan World Cup side since 1999. 2003 was an aged squad although strong on paper. 2007 was poor, as they missed key players to injury. 2011 they exceeded expectations and punched above their weight, otherwise the side wasn't exactly that good. 2015 was pathetic. 2019 was OK.

This time Pakistan have a very balanced and stable team with a terrific pace bowling attack. Their only weakness could be a potent wicket taking spinner which they lack.
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People underrate the 2011 squad. It was a very good team for those conditions. Afridi, Ajmal and Hafeez were unplayable in middle overs. Umar Gul was in red hot form. Akhtar was still bowling 145+. 2 very potent back up pacers in Wahab and Junaid.
Younis, Misbah, Kami, Afridi and Razzaq formed a pretty decent middle, lower order too. India were lucky to get past them in semifinal that day.
 
SamNJ said:
People underrate the 2011 squad. It was a very good team for those conditions. Afridi, Ajmal and Hafeez were unplayable in middle overs. Umar Gul was in red hot form. Akhtar was still bowling 145+. 2 very potent back up pacers in Wahab and Junaid.
Younis, Misbah, Kami, Afridi and Razzaq formed a pretty decent middle, lower order too. India were lucky to get past them in semifinal that day.
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Not really no, our 2011 squad had a killer bowling unit, but if the bowling failed, we were done for, that happened against NZ where they scored 302 and destroyed us.

None of the WC batters could even score a 100 and we were bowled out for 180 against Canada of all nations.

Our only 348 score against Kenya was ecause they made a record of giving away 60 to 70 extras in that match, against current England that's a defo 480 score.

Kamran has never been a good batsmen averaging less then 30, younis has always been a garbo odi player, ATG test batsmen but horrible odi, Misbah can't score a 100 even if all the stars aligned and thanos used the reality stone to favour him, hafeez was always bang Average and he didn't develop his power hitting skills until later in his career, he was slow as molasses in 2011, afridi didn't perform in a single match with the bat, razzaq was at the end of his rope.

What pakistan had however in 2011 was a bowling unit that would be unplayable for any team today, their bowling was a million times better them our current bowling. Not to say our current bowling is bad, it's top tier but 2011 bowling was a different breed altogether.

If only we had good batters we would have thrashed India and Sri Lanka. We also got unlucky tbf, we chocked against India dropping Sachin nearly 7 times and just missing catches and poor fielding in general.
 
YousafTheBeast said:
The horrifying Misbah era is irrelevant, it was pre “modern day cricket”. Being 35-3 in the PP overs wasn’t ideal but you’d still have a chance to post 200 odd runs and still be in a chance to win the game especially with our bowlers and the one ball rule.

Now it’s completely different, the average totals are no longer mid 200’s, the pitches are favouring the batsmen more, the 2 new ball rule is favouring the batsmen, teams are now looking to score 330 plus. You cannot expect to be going at a run a ball, lose your wicket in the last 10 overs and then expect a new batsman to come in and go all guns blazing.
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The 2 new balls era started in 2012.
We actually suffered when it came into place as our bowlers relied a lot on reverse swing.
Plus our ODI team was pathetic till 2019.
 
Congratulations, Ma sha Allah 😀

How we managed that, I dont know lol, but I will take it.
 
zains_rulez said:
Wait what 🤣

Then who is no1 and no2
Don't say india please
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England is 100% superior. Australia is superior as well. A full strength NZ side is superior if all their players play but they are not at full strength this WC and will get smacked.

India is debatable, their players are aged and many like rohit are on their last legs. India also just like pakistan have not sorted out their middle order and are struggling.

India and Pakistan are pretty even teams to one another so far.
 
mominsaigol said:
Not really no, our 2011 squad had a killer bowling unit, but if the bowling failed, we were done for, that happened against NZ where they scored 302 and destroyed us.

None of the WC batters could even score a 100 and we were bowled out for 180 against Canada of all nations.

Our only 348 score against Kenya was ecause they made a record of giving away 60 to 70 extras in that match, against current England that's a defo 480 score.

Kamran has never been a good batsmen averaging less then 30, younis has always been a garbo odi player, ATG test batsmen but horrible odi, Misbah can't score a 100 even if all the stars aligned and thanos used the reality stone to favour him, hafeez was always bang Average and he didn't develop his power hitting skills until later in his career, he was slow as molasses in 2011, afridi didn't perform in a single match with the bat, razzaq was at the end of his rope.

What pakistan had however in 2011 was a bowling unit that would be unplayable for any team today, their bowling was a million times better them our current bowling. Not to say our current bowling is bad, it's top tier but 2011 bowling was a different breed altogether.

If only we had good batters we would have thrashed India and Sri Lanka. We also got unlucky tbf, we chocked against India dropping Sachin nearly 7 times and just missing catches and poor fielding in general.
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Younis was good against spinners.
Also Umar Akmal was in good touch in those days.
That middle and lower order was still better than the current team. The top 3 however were poor.
Pakistan beat SL very convincingly in SL in that tournament's group stage, so I think if they had beaten India in SF, the WC was their for taking.
More than anything it was fielding which was really a big problem in that tournament. Kamran couldn't catch anything behind stumps and so many slow movers.
 
Congratulations to Pakistan on becoming the No. 1 ODI side again. Well deserved and as I've always said, ODIs are Pakistan's strongest format, it perfectly suits their style of play.

Definitely a strong contender for the ODI World Cup.
 
SamNJ said:
Younis was good against spinners.
Also Umar Akmal was in good touch in those days.
That middle and lower order was still better than the current team. The top 3 however were poor.
Pakistan beat SL very convincingly in SL in that tournament's group stage, so I think if they had beaten India in SF, the WC was their for taking.
More than anything it was fielding which was really a big problem in that tournament. Kamran couldn't catch anything behind stumps and so many slow movers.
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Brother Younis has always been vang Average as an odi batsmen, he's style of play and awkward batting stance was not suited for odi. And Umar Akmal is overrated. The akmal brothers have always had good talent when it comes to shots and in general being natural strikers of the ball. But they've always lacked a cricketing brain.

Umar akmal was in a good nick even in 2015 tecnhique and shot selection wise, but in against West indies, umar akmal played a pull shot to a vacant area to score a 4 to get to his 50. West indies then decided to change the field to place a fielder their. Then umar akmal pulled again straight to the fielder and was out, and ramiz raja straight up said umar didn't notice the field change.

That's the problem with the akmal brothers, they have 0 game awareness, they never knew how to soak up pressure, if the run rate increased they'd try to play shots to good line and length which is not easy to do, bowlers har ball halwa delivery nahi Dein gei, you need to respect good deliveries and nudge for singles.

Instead of taking singles and findings gaps and taking doubles and dispatching bad balls to bring run rate down like most modern teams do, the akmal brothers would just play rash shots and get out.

I remember 2011 World cup, it was my very first wc that I watched and the way I was introduced to cricket and I'm telling you, a team of kamran, hafeez, younis, misbah, umar, out of form razzaq and afridi were never gonna outperform a team consisting of Sachin, sehwag, Dhoni, yuvaraj, kholi, players who had adjusted to the modern era whereas our 2011 team was still stuck playing 1990 cricket.

Our bowling carried the whole tournament, yes we got lucky but chasing 260 should have been chased especially if Sri lanka can make 290+ against the same team. If a team managed to get to 250, then game over for 2011 pakistan as what happened with NZ and India.

And yes us beating Sri lanka was again because bowling carried.
 
Babar Azam after his side's win in the 3-match ODI Series against Afghanistan.

"We are excited going into the Asia Cup. The manner of our series victory over Afghanistan will serve us well in the tournament. It wasn't as easy against Afghanistan as some people think. Everyone is aware of their spin prowess. The momentum we gained in this series will give us confidence in the Asia Cup. We are hopeful of producing good cricket for our fans,"

"When you achieve the number 1 position, it gives you a lot of joy and satisfaction. This is the result of the efforts that the entire squad, including the support staff, put in. We were on top of the ODI rankings earlier but dropped to Number 2 after losing a game"
 
Top of the world: Five memorable Pakistan wins en route to No.1 ODI spot.

As Pakistan attain the top spot in the MRF Tyres ICC Men's ODI Team rankings, we take a look back at five exceptional victories from the current rankings time period.

South Africa v Pakistan (April 2021, Centurion):

In April 2021, Centurion hosted a thriller between South Africa and Pakistan. The game had it all – Rassie van der Dussen's maiden century was overshadowed by Babar Azam's ton, a fiery Nortje spell and a thrilling final-ball finish.

Batting first, Rassie's 123* propelled South Africa to a solid total of 273/6. In reply, Pakistan, having lost Fakhar early, rebuilt through Babar and Imam's 179-run partnership.

Pakistan were cruising along before Nortje's four-over rampage, starting with Babar post his century, caused a collapse. Mohammad Rizwan and Shadab Khan pulled the rescue act but their wickets in the death over left Pakistan needing four runs in five balls.

Andile Phehlukwayo took it till the last ball but Faheem Ashraf hit the winning runs to lead Pakistan to a special victory against South Africa.

Pakistan v Australia (March 2022, Lahore):

In 2022, Australia's tour of Pakistan marked their return to the country after 24 years. The series lived up to the hype, with an intense Test series and an equally thrilling ODI series that followed.

With Australia winning in the series opener, the hosts felt the heat in the second ODI. Australia piled on the pressure after posting a mammoth 349-run target after batting first on the back of Ben McDermott's century.

It was an all-round chasing masterclass by Pakistan in response, led by tons from Babar and Imam. Fakhar and Imam's partnership of 118 runs laid the perfect foundation for the chase and paved the way for Babar's fiery century.

Entering the crease with the requirement of 231 runs from 187 balls, Babar showcased remarkable aggressive shot-making and nearly batted through. He reached his century in a mere 73 balls, marking the quickest ODI hundred of his career.

By the time he departed in the 45th over, Pakistan had the win in their sights and romped home with an over to spare.

Pakistan v West Indies (June 2022, Multan):

In the opening ODI against West Indies, Pakistan almost made a meal of a straightforward chase but were rescued by the fireworks from Khushdil Shah.

Shai Hope's 127 helped West Indies put on 305 runs on board after batting first. After losing Fakhar in the Powerplay, Imam and Babar strung together a century stand. That was followed by yet another 100-run partnership between Babar and Rizwan.

Pakistan needed 86 in the last 10 overs with eight wickets in hand. Babar reached his century but was back in the pavilion the very next over. Rizwan too followed his captain back, leaving Pakistan to get 44 in the last four overs.

In the end, Khushdil Shah produced a gem of a cameo that included three consecutive sixes off Romario Shepherd in the 47th over. Khushdil remained unbeaten on 43 off just 21 balls as Pakistan sealed a thrilling final-over contest with four balls to spare.

Netherlands v Pakistan (August 2022, Rotterdam):

Twice in the three-match series, Netherlands pushed Pakistan to their limits but both times, Babar Azam's men showcased why they are such a superior ODI unit.

Netherlands had their best opportunity to defeat Pakistan in the final ODI, limiting them to 206 runs after batting first. The scorecard would have read much worse without Babar's patient 91 which helped Pakistan post a respectable total.

Naseem Shah and Mohammad Wasim impressed with three early wickets between themselves in 15 overs. Vikramjit Singh and Tom Cooper's fifties sustained the Dutch chase, but at the same time, the pace-bowling duo maintained their wicket-taking momentum.

With the scoreboard at 119/5 in 33 overs, a promising 56-run partnership for the sixth wicket by Copper and Teja Nidamanuru offered hope to the Netherlands. However, their prospects dimmed as both well-set batsmen departed in successive overs.

Scoring 31 off the last four overs with only three wickets in hand proved too much for the hosts as they slipped to a nine-run loss. Naseem recorded his maiden five-wicket haul in the game and was well supported by Wasim's four-for.

Afghanistan v Pakistan (August 2023, Hambantota):

Afghanistan came close to beating Pakistan for the first time in ODIs but Naseem Shah once again proved to be their nemesis with the bat in a final-over thriller.

After being bowled out for just 59 in the first ODI, Afghanistan rallied back and posted 300/5, courtesy of Rahmanullah Gurbaz's run-a-ball 151.

Pakistan were well on track to chase 301 with relative ease when Imam and Babar were at the crease. However, the fall of the skipper triggered a mini-collapse before Shadab Khan and Iftikhar Ahmed held the fort.

The last two overs had one twist after another – Shadab scored two crucial boundaries off the last two balls of the penultimate over before he was run out at the non-striker's end while backing up by Fazalhaq Farooqi off the first ball of the final over.

Needing 11 off the last over with one wicket in hand, Naseem did a repeat of the Asia Cup from last year by guiding Pakistan to a win against all odds with a ball and a wicket to spare.

www.icc-cricket.com

Top of the world: Five memorable Pakistan wins en route to No.1 ODI spot

As Pakistan attain the top spot in the MRF Tyres ICC Men's ODI Team rankings, we take a look back at five exceptional victories from the current rankings time period.
www.icc-cricket.com www.icc-cricket.com
 
Pakistan can enjoy their new ranking against Nepal after that a reality check will happen as people realise it’s a struggle beating the main teams when they are at full strength.

The likelihood is Pakistan losing bilateral series to Australia England New Zealand and South Africa if they played their full teams ODI bilaterals are no longer relevant to most teams.
 
SamNJ said:
People underrate the 2011 squad. It was a very good team for those conditions. Afridi, Ajmal and Hafeez were unplayable in middle overs. Umar Gul was in red hot form. Akhtar was still bowling 145+. 2 very potent back up pacers in Wahab and Junaid.
Younis, Misbah, Kami, Afridi and Razzaq formed a pretty decent middle, lower order too. India were lucky to get past them in semifinal that day.
Click to expand...
Ajmal only played a single group game. Hafeez wasn't used that much as a bowler then. He started taking the increased bowling responsibility starting from the WI series that followed the wc.
Afridi had a middling series in the lead up to the wc (against NZ)
Younis, Misbah and Hafeez were the in form batters leading up to the tournament (Hafeez had an awful wc with the bat) and none of them were world class ODI batters. Kamran Akmal was our no.3 We had Shehzad and Asad Shafiq.
Akhtar was doing good but was a shadow of his prime. Was struggling to bowl more than 4 overs per spell and was unbowlable at the death.
 
Big test for this ranking for Pakistan in the Asia Cup and especially against India
 
Pakistan number one without beating England and Australia. Can they remain number one for a long time?
 
Even if there is a disagreement with the table, I can't see anyone but Eng that can claim to have a better LOI side. The rest of the sides are either on par or below.
 
Days after Pakistan had toppled them from the No. 1 place in the Men’s ODI Team Rankings, Australia reclaimed their spot with a win in the second ODI against South Africa.


1694285505495.png
 
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I guess back on top if they beat India tomorrow?
 
Australia at top is a scary news for both Pakistan and India.
 
Race for top ODI team ranking hots up ahead of World Cup.

The race to be the No.1 ranked ODI side at the start of ICC Men's Cricket World Cup intensifies over the next few days as the Asia Cup comes to an exciting conclusion in Sri Lanka.

Australia currently holds on to a narrow lead at the head of the MRF Tyres ODI Team Rankings, but both second-placed Pakistan and third-placed India have the five-time World Cup champions in their sights ahead of a busy period of 50-over cricket.

We take a look at the fixtures each side will play ahead of the start of the World Cup on October 5.

Australia:

Current ranking: 1
Current rating: 121
Upcoming fixtures: South Africa (September 12, September 15, September 17), India (September 22, September 24, September 27)

Australia are in the box seat to be the No.1 ranked side at the start of the World Cup given they already hold a three-point advantage over their closest rivals and three upcoming fixtures against South Africa will push them even closer to this.

Victories in those three matches against the Proteas would help the Aussies clinch a series sweep, but conversely, two or more losses will provide Pakistan and India the chance to overhaul them and take the No.1 ranking prior to the World Cup.

Australia's three-match series in India at the end of this month will then have a major say at who has the top ranking at the start of the World Cup.

Pakistan:

Current ranking: 2
Current rating: 118
Upcoming fixtures: Sri Lanka (September 14), Potential Asia Cup Final (September 17)

Pakistan's chances of obtaining the No.1 ranking at the start of the World Cup rests heavily on their final Super Four match against Sri Lanka at the Asia Cup.

Babar Azam's charges will likely need to win that clash - and have other results go their way - to earn a place in the Asia Cup decider and another victory in that match may be enough to catapult Pakistan into the premier position prior to the World Cup.

Unfortunately, Pakistan have no further ODI matches between the end of the Asia Cup and the start of the World Cup to further strengthen their claim, apart from the warm-up fixtures for the World Cup against New Zealand and Australia that don't carry ODI status.

This may work in their favour though, if they can win the Asia Cup and have Australia and India drop valuable rating points in the meantime.

India:

Current ranking: 3
Current rating: 115
Upcoming fixtures: Sri Lanka (September 12), Bangladesh (September 15), Potential Asia Cup Final (September 17), Australia (September 22, September 24, September 27)

India play the most ODI matches of any of the top three challengers for the No.1 ranking and this could potentially help them overtake Australia and Pakistan if they can continue their recent winning form.

Rohit Sharma's side are yet to taste defeat at this year's Asia Cup and they could mathematically reach the No.1 position by winning the tournament should Australia and Pakistan lose their upcoming fixtures.

In a similar vein to Australia, India's upcoming three-match series against Pat Cummins side may prove pivotal in deciding which team heads into the World Cup with the No.1 ranking.​
 
The ICC rankings are a joke and it should be scrapped. Pakistan should’ve never went to Number 1, we have a team with no proper spinner, an opener with a strike rate in the 80’s and another that gives the slips catching practice. We have a captain that thinks inside the box rather than outside the box. Our middle order consists of a 40 year old bhudda, a wicket keeper batsman that’s more serious about the PSL than his country, and some rookie. Our pace bowling all rounder is Faheem Ashraf, I don’t need to say much on that. We had 4 years to build a team, and we’re going into a World Cup with only 4 players who really deserve to be in the team based on their international performances. (Babar, Shaheen, Rauf and Naseem).

The rankings should really look like this-

England
Australia
India
Pakistan
New Zealand
South Africa
 
YousafTheBeast said:
The ICC rankings are a joke and it should be scrapped. Pakistan should’ve never went to Number 1, we have a team with no proper spinner, an opener with a strike rate in the 80’s and another that gives the slips catching practice. We have a captain that thinks inside the box rather than outside the box. Our middle order consists of a 40 year old bhudda, a wicket keeper batsman that’s more serious about the PSL than his country, and some rookie. Our pace bowling all rounder is Faheem Ashraf, I don’t need to say much on that. We had 4 years to build a team, and we’re going into a World Cup with only 4 players who really deserve to be in the team based on their international performances. (Babar, Shaheen, Rauf and Naseem).

The rankings should really look like this-

England
Australia
India
Pakistan
New Zealand
South Africa
Click to expand...
New Zealand are better than Pakistan

South Africa have a more balanced side than Pakistan

Sri Lanka is on Par with Pakistan
 
Rauf and Naseem deserve to be in the top 10 as far as their performance is concerned. Pakistan was number 1 until Australia thrashed South Africa in their home condition. Australia deserves to be the number 1 side no doubt. But recent performances from the Pakistan team were good so that's why we are in the top 3 and I think we deserve to be there.
 
YousafTheBeast said:
The ICC rankings are a joke and it should be scrapped. Pakistan should’ve never went to Number 1, we have a team with no proper spinner, an opener with a strike rate in the 80’s and another that gives the slips catching practice. We have a captain that thinks inside the box rather than outside the box. Our middle order consists of a 40 year old bhudda, a wicket keeper batsman that’s more serious about the PSL than his country, and some rookie. Our pace bowling all rounder is Faheem Ashraf, I don’t need to say much on that. We had 4 years to build a team, and we’re going into a World Cup with only 4 players who really deserve to be in the team based on their international performances. (Babar, Shaheen, Rauf and Naseem).

The rankings should really look like this-

England
Australia
India
Pakistan
New Zealand
South Africa
Click to expand...
Post of the week for me
 
Rana said:
New Zealand are better than Pakistan

South Africa have a more balanced side than Pakistan

Sri Lanka is on Par with Pakistan
Click to expand...

Close one, New Zealand have a Hong Kong player in their team and South Africa’s captain is Bavuma lol.

Sri Lanka is lethal when it comes to tournaments.
 
YousafTheBeast said:
Close one, New Zealand have a Hong Kong player in their team and South Africa’s captain is Bavuma lol.

Sri Lanka is lethal when it comes to tournaments.
Click to expand...
That player (chapman) creamed our number 1 seamers and spinner (Shadab)

Bavuma is a good player and has the respect of his side. But look at the quality of cricketers they have:

Quinton DeQock
Rassie van Dussen
Aiden Markram
Heinrich Klaasen
Jorge Linde
Tabraiz Shamsi
Anrich Nortje
Maro Jansen
Kagiso Rabada
Lungi Ngidi

All of these guys are SERIOUS players. They just need to combine on the day and they will not be an easy proposition
 
New Zealand looking Serious going into this World Cup too…

Tim Seifert
Fin Allen
Kane Williamson
Glen Chapman
Devon Conway
Daryl Mitchell
Doug Bracewell
Mitch Santner
Trent Boult
Lockie Furgouson

Guns Boy!
 
YousafTheBeast said:
Close one, New Zealand have a Hong Kong player in their team and South Africa’s captain is Bavuma lol.

Sri Lanka is lethal when it comes to tournaments.
Click to expand...

This is the second time I have read this myth on this forum over the last couple of days.

What has Sri Lanka done in ICC tournaments after the retirement of Sangakkara, Mahela, Dilshan, Malinga etc.?

They won the Asia Cup last year, but their performances in ICC tournaments since 2014-15 have been nothing to write home about so the statement that they are lethal in tournaments is completely baseless and influenced by the perception of the Sri Lankan team during the 2007-2014 period.
 
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