Pakistan’s time at the summit of the ICC Men’s ODI Rankings was brief, as they surrendered their No. 1 ranking just two days after attaining it for the first time ever. Despite celebrating their achievement with much excitement, the team’s aspirations were crushed when they were unable to secure a clean sweep against New Zealand in the final ODI match played on May 7th in Karachi.
Pakistan had put up impressive performances in the entire series, but their aspirations of retaining the top spot in the rankings were thwarted by a determined New Zealand team in the final match. The defeat not only deprived Pakistan of a momentous feat but also resulted in their descent to the third spot in the rankings.
The outcome was a major setback for the Pakistani side, who were looking to consolidate their position as the foremost ODI team in the world. Nonetheless, cricket is a sport where no position is secure, and the competition for the number one spot remains intense among the top-performing teams.
Pakistan’s triumph over New Zealand in the ODI series was impressive, culminating in a massive 102-run win that propelled them to the top spot in the ICC Men’s ODI Rankings. However, their reign at the pinnacle was brief, as New Zealand’s victory in the final match of the series caused them to slip to the third position.
Australia currently leads with 113 points, with India at a close second with the same number of points. With 112 points, Pakistan now finds itself in third place, increasing the competition for the top spot in the World Cup year.
Although Pakistan secured a resounding 4-1 series win, their captain Babar admitted that they fell short of their desired outcome. Will Young’s explosive innings of 91 runs led New Zealand’s charge, with their entire batting unit contributing significantly.
Despite Shaheen Afridi’s three-wicket haul, Pakistan’s batting struggled with early dismissals of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. Agha Salman and Iftikhar Ahmed put up a valiant fight, but it was not enough as Pakistan’s chase fell short. New Zealand celebrated their first win in the ODI series, a significant moment for the team.