Pakistan drop in latest ICC men’s ODI rankings

Pakistan have dropped to fifth place in the latest ICC Men’s ODI team rankings, released on Monday, after Sri Lanka leapfrogged them to take the fourth spot.

Pakistan now have 3,465 points, while Sri Lanka moved ahead with 4,009 points. The West Indies also climbed one place to ninth, pushing Bangladesh down to tenth.

India remain at the top of the rankings with 4,471 points, followed by New Zealand (4,160) in second and Australia (3,473) in third. South Africa are sixth with 2,775 points, and Afghanistan hold seventh place with 2,279 points.

The ranking shift comes after West Indies defeated Pakistan by five wickets in a rain-affected second ODI at Tarouba on Sunday, leveling the three-match series at 1-1.

Due to rain, the match was reduced to 35 overs per side, with Pakistan setting a revised target of 181. West Indies reached the target in 33.2 overs, thanks to key contributions from Roston Chase and Sherfane Rutherford.

Hasan Ali gave Pakistan a bright start by dismissing Brandon King (1) and Evin Lewis (7) early, leaving West Indies at 12-2 in just over four overs. Keacy Carty’s dismissal for 16 put more pressure on the hosts, but Rutherford’s quickfire 45 off 33 balls shifted momentum.

Captain Shai Hope added 32 runs before falling to Mohammad Nawaz, who also removed Rutherford. Chase (49 not out) and Justin Greaves (26) then put on an unbeaten 77-run stand to seal victory for the hosts.

Earlier, Pakistan’s batting struggled after losing Babar Azam for a duck to Jayden Seales, who finished with 3/23. Abdullah Shafique (26) and Mohammad Rizwan failed to build a big partnership, and at 88-4, Pakistan looked in trouble.

Hussain Talat scored a steady 31, while Hasan Nawaz provided late fireworks with an unbeaten 36 off 30 balls, including three sixes. Shaheen Afridi added 11 not out as Pakistan posted a competitive total, but it was not enough to stop West Indies.

The series decider will be played on Thursday at the same venue.