Pakistan have returned to the top of the ODI world rankings despite an underwhelming Asia Cup campaign where they failed to qualify for the final.

A record defeat to India and a final-ball loss to Sri Lanka meant that Pakistan missed out on a spot in the final but Australia’s 3-2 defeat to South Africa in South Africa meant that they ceded top spot to Babar Azam’s team.

India became Asia Cup champions for the eighth time but defeat in their final Super Fours fixture to Bangladesh hampered their bid to top the world rankings. They are currently in second place, marginally behind Pakistan. Australia, who climbed to the top of the rankings last week, dropped two spots to No. 3 following three consecutive defeats to South Africa.

Pakistan’s return to the top of the world rankings actually coincides with a downturn in form. Sri Lanka, who had to negotiate the World Cup Qualifier to make the showpiece event in India next month, pipped them to an Asia Cup final berth, while star quick Naseem Shah is now a major injury doubt ahead of the World Cup. ODI linchpins Shadab Khan and Fakhar Zaman also endured poor campaigns; their entry to the World Cup is not as smooth as their current ranking suggests.

India on the other hand seem to be hitting their stride just at the right time. Their defeat to Bangladesh came while several first-choice players were rested. They were otherwise undefeated at the Asia Cup with the return of Jasprit Bumrah ominous for their fellow World Cup contenders.

South Africa’s series win saw them leap from sixth to fourth in the latest rankings update while England dropped a place from fourth to fifth despite their 3-1 series win over New Zealand. The Black Caps dropped from fifth to sixth with Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan immediately below them in the rankings at seventh, eighth and ninth respectively. Tenth placed West Indies did not qualify for the World Cup with 14th placed Netherlands there in their stead.

Current ICC men’s ODI Team Rankings (as of September 17, 2023)

1. Pakistan
2. India
3. Australia
4. South Africa
5. England
6. New Zealand
7. Bangladesh
8. Sri Lanka
9. Afghanistan
10. West Indies
11. Zimbabwe
12. Scotland
13. Ireland
14. Netherlands

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