The ICC ODI Rankings is now a three-way battle between India vs Pakistan vs Australia. Each country will be keen to continue their fine form as head into the ICC World Cup 2023 as the number-ranked team in the World. Pakistan are the current leaders. But IND vs PAK in Asia Cup 2023 and SA vs AUS will decide the World No 1.
As things stand, Babar Azam-led Pakistan is the World Number 1 team in ODIs. A 3-0 clean sweep win against Afghanistan made Pakistan the top-ranked team in the world, heading into the Asia Cup.
But Pakistan doesn’t have any chance to take it easy or relax. Because breathing down on their neck are Australia and India.
Latest ICC ODI Rankings
| POS | TEAM | POINTS | RATING |
| 1 | Pakistan | 2,853 | 119 |
| 2 | Australia | 2,714 | 118 |
| 3 | India | 4,204 | 114 |
| 4 | New Zealand | 2,806 | 104 |
| 5 | England | 2,426 | 101 |
As evident from the standings, a single win or a single loss can alter the entire combination in the race to achieve the World Number 1 spot. A simple loss from Pakistan and a win for Australia in their next games will flip the Rankings chart.
How can Australia become World Number 1?
The dynamics are very simple, Australia will have to win their games and Pakistan will have to lose theirs. Let us check some of these combinations:-
- With Pakistan winning against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup Super 4s clash, Australia will have to win against South Africa. It will help Australia tie Pakistan on 119 points but they will still reclaim World No 1 spot.
- If Australia lose to South Africa in the first ODI but win the 2nd ODI and Pakistan lose to India on 10th September in Asia Cup 2023 clash, Pat Cummins & Co be World No 1.
- To put it simply, Australia must win against South Africa while Pakistan and India must lose momentum.
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How can Pakistan retain the No 1 spot?
The task is relatively easy for Pakistan. Win the match against Bangladesh and hope Australia lose just 1 game in the upcoming days. If both Australia and Pakistan stay level on points, i.e 118, Australia will jump up to the first spot.
- Should Pakistan and Australia win both their games, Australia will have to lose their second game to South Africa for Pakistan to stay ahead.
- If Pakistan beats Bangladesh, and Australia beats South Africa in the next 2 matches, then Pakistan will have to beat India on 10th September, to retain the top spot.
- 2 wins against Bangladesh and India are enough for Pakistan. Should Austria win their remaining matches in the next 2 weeks, Pakistan will continue to lead the charts.
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How can India make it to the Top Spot?
The task is not easy for India, but also it is not impossible. With favorable results and opponents dropping points, India can find itself at the top of the charts.
- But for that to happen, for starters both Pakistan and Australia will to lose their next matches and India win their next match.
- Pakistan lose to Bangladesh, South Africa beat Australia in their next 2 games and India beat Sri Lanka, The Men in Blue goes to the top of the standings, even if Australia wins the 3rd game against the Proteas.
But with the three teams having plenty of fixtures ahead and with various permutations and combinations in the results, it is safe to assume that either of the three sides holds a firm chance to topple the other in the race for the ICC ODI Rankings ahead of the World Cup.
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