Recently for the first very time in history of Pakistan cricket our team grabbed the top spot in International Cricket Council’s Test rankings. ICC introduced ranking system in 2003 in order to evaluate teams on the basis of their performances in all three formats of the game. One the one side we are celebrating the achievement of tremendous rise of our Test team but ironically at the same time Pakistan team have touched the lowest point in their One Day International history. At the moment they are lingering at 9th spot in the ODI rankings. It is quite disappointing to see them just above Afghanistan on the rankings table.
It was being considered that with the appointment of seasoned coach Mickey Arthur and legendary batsman Inzamam ul Haq as chief selectors things would start moving in the right direction. But looking at the team performance of Pakistan against England in first two ODI matches it seems that a lot more needs to be done to bring the team on winning track.
Since 2015 World Cup, Pakistan has only managed to win ODI series against Zimbabwe and lost against Bangladesh, England, and New Zealand. England being the host nation and seven other top ranked sides as on cut-off date 30th September 2017 will qualify directly for the biggest ODI event, World Cup 2019. Being a test playing nation and 1992 World Champion, it would be really embarrassing for Pakistan if it fails to book a direct berth in the World Cup. Cut-off date for the direct qualification is still one-and-half year away and coach and team management should target the goal of achieving direct entry into the mega event. To avoid humiliation, Pakistan has to step up in the ODI format of the game.
Consistent 9th position in the ODI Team Rankings has put Pakistan in danger to secure direct berth in next World Cup.
