PakvZim: 4-1 series win needed to maintain ICC rankings

Fifth-placed Pakistan need to either whitewash Zimbabwe or win by a minimum 4-1 margin in the five-match ODI series to maintain their current International Cricket Council (ICC) ranking for ODI teams.

Pakistan take on Zimbabwe in a five-match series from July 15 in Bulawayo and will have to defeat their opponents by a considerable margin if they are to remain ahead of sixth-placed Australia.

The Men in Green currently sit on 102 points on fifth place with Australia one place behind them with 100 points.

Meanwhile, in the top of the table battle, India have a chance to overtake England for the top spot with the two teams expected to play each other in a three-match ODI series starting from July 12.

If India are able to defeat the Three Lions 3-0, they will be ranked the number one ODI team in the world, while if England are able to defeat India by the same margin, they will take a 10-point lead in the rankings table.

ICC ODI TEAM RANKINGS

Rank    Team               Points

1          England            126

2          India                 122

3          South Africa      113

4          New Zealand     112

5          Pakistan            102

6          Australia           100

7          Bangladesh        93

8          Sri Lanka          77

9          Windies             69

10        Afghanistan       63

11        Zimbabwe         55

12        Ireland               38

13         Scotland             28

14         UAE                   18