The race to claim the No.1 spot in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup rankings intensifies as the Asia Cup 2023 concludes and two of the top three teams prepare for a pivotal bilateral series.
Pakistan holds onto the coveted No.1 ranking at the conclusion of Asia Cup 2023, despite their early exit from the tournament and India's resounding victory over Sri Lanka in the final. Australia, another strong contender, missed a chance to claim the top spot after a series loss to South Africa.
The Australians had a promising 2-0 lead in the series before the hosts staged a remarkable comeback, winning three consecutive games to secure the series victory on Sunday. India's quest for the No.1 ranking faced a setback with a loss to Bangladesh ahead of the Asia Cup final. Even a record-breaking win, achieved in just over six overs against Sri Lanka in the final, did not propel them to the top position.
Let's delve into the upcoming fixtures for each team as they prepare for the World Cup commencing on October 5. Australia's aspirations to be the No.1 ranked side at the beginning of the World Cup have dimmed following the series loss to South Africa. To achieve this, they must secure a series whitewash against India.
However, if Australia manages to start the series with two wins, they will ascend to the top of the rankings, at least until the final ODI. India, on the other hand, is well-positioned to claim the No.1 ranking with a series win over Australia in the home series commencing on September 22. A victory in the first ODI alone will elevate India to the No.1 ranking in all three formats of the game.
Rohit Sharma's team is riding high after their remarkable Asia Cup triumph, and they could potentially secure the No.1 position as early as the following Friday by defeating Australia in the first ODI in Mohali. In a parallel scenario to Australia, India's forthcoming three-match series against Pat Cummins' squad could prove pivotal in determining the No.1-ranked team entering the World Cup.
If India avoids a whitewash but still loses the series to Australia, Pakistan will retain the top spot for the World Cup. Conversely, a 3-0 series loss to Australia will drop India to third position, while Australia will claim the coveted No.1 ranking. Pakistan's hopes of seizing the No.1 ranking at the outset of the World Cup were dealt a significant blow when they lost their final Super Four match at the Asia Cup to Sri Lanka. With no official ODI matches scheduled for Pakistan before the World Cup, their prospects of entering the tournament as the No.1-ranked team hinge on the outcome of the India-Australia series.
Pakistan could regain the top ranking if both Australia and India continue to face defeats. However, the fact that these two formidable teams are set to face each other at the end of the month implies that one of them will likely reclaim the premier position.
