Less than a month before the ICC World Cup, the race for the top spot in ODIs is hotly contested, with three teams vying to win the cricketing championship. India’s chances of reclaiming the top spot in ODIs after March 22 this year have increased significantly as a result of Australia’s defeat to South Africa in the third ODI of the ongoing away series on Tuesday. Australia and Pakistan are currently tied for first place in the ICC ODI standings with 118 points each, closely followed by India in second place with 116 points.
Pakistan’s final Super Four match against Sri Lanka at the Asia Cup on Thursday will have a significant bearing on the former’s chances of holding on to the Numero Uno position in ODIs ahead of the World Cup.
Pakistan needs to beat Sri Lanka in the Super Four clash on Thusday to advance to the final of the Asia Cup against India.
A victory for the Men in Blue in the Asia Cup final would dent Pakistan’s hopes of holding on to the top spot.
Barring some 50-over practice matches against New Zealand and Australia going into the World Cup, which won’t be tagged as internationals, Pakistan won’t feature in any ODIs ahead of the showpiece event.