Pakistan surpassed Australia in the points table as they now hold the No.1 place for the first time in ODI cricket history. After defeating New Zealand by 102 runs in the fourth ODI on Friday in Karachi.
The Men in Green ascended to the top of the ICC ODI rankings. Babar Azam and Co. with 106 rating points, they were fifth in the standings when the ODI series began.
Pakistan become the top-ranked team on the ICC ODI rankings
Introducing the new No.1 ranked side on the ICC ODI Team Rankings! pic.twitter.com/uOVRFBsf0Z
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) May 5, 2023
With 113.483 rating points, they have surpassed Australia (113.286) and India (112.638) to reach the top of the tree. The fifth and final ODI, however, must be won by the hosts in order to keep the No. 1 spot.
In the event of a defeat, they will drop to third place, with Australia regaining first place. Pakistan can keep its No. 1 ranking with a no-result or abandon the fifth ODI. 1 spot. Babar Azam was at his absolute best in the fourth ODI and, after failing to do so in the first three ODIs, finally turned his start into a century.
Following a brief hiccup, the home team amassed 334 in 50 overs as the right-hander slammed his 18th ODI century. Before Babar Azam and Agha Salman added 117 runs, Pakistan’s score from the 25th over, at 128-3, was on the verge of being below par.
Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Haris, and Shaheen Afridi gave the situation the necessary momentum in the closing stages. In his perfect seven-ball 23, Afridi hit three sixes. The Kiwis performed admirably in retaliation, but they fell far short of the goal due to a lack of noteworthy contributions from the top order.
Muhammad Wasim Jr. bowled New Zealand out for 232 in 43 points in four overs, and Usama Mir shared seven wickets between them. Babar was named Player of the Match for his 117-ball 107. The Karachi National Stadium will host the fifth and final ODI on Sunday. If Pakistan loses the last ODI, they will drop to No. 3. And Australia will regain their rank as No. 1.
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