Fans react as Pakistan lose no.1 rank in ODI rankings after 48 hours at top, slip to 3rd spot

Pakistan is now behind Australia, who are no.1 and India, who are second in ICC ODI rankings.

By Jatin Sharma - 08 May, 2023

Babar Azam-led Pakistan side has lost their number one rank in the ODI rankings after 48 hours at the top. This result happened after New Zealand won the fifth and final ODI in Karachi and avoided a whitewash despite losing the series 1-4.

Pakistan needed to win the series 5-0 to return to the number one rank in ODIs.

An all-round performance from the Kiwis saw them clinch a 47-run win over the hosts in the fifth and final ODI. Chasing a target of 300, Pakistan was rocked early losing Shan Masood, Babar Azam, and Mohammad Rizwan for cheap scores.

Fakhar Zaman, who had been in glorious form throughout the series, also could not make a massive contribution after being dismissed on 33 by Rachin Ravindra.

Iftikhar Ahmed and Agha Salman then embarked on a 97-run stand which gave Pakistan real hope but those were dashed as Salman was dismissed on 57 by Henry Shipley. Iftikhar gave it his all with a score of 94*, but it wasn't enough as Pakistan lost by 47 runs and fell from first place in the team ODI rankings.

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Tom Latham, the captain, won the toss and decided to bat first in Karachi. This choice turned out to be the right one. Will Young scored an impressive 87 from 91 balls, just missing out on his third ODI century.

Latham, who scored his third half-century of the series with a 58-balassisted himstance. As New Zealand amassed 299 in 49.3 overs, Mark Chapman (43), Cole McConchie (26), and Rachin Ravindra (28) all made useful cameo appearances.

The loss led Pakistan to relinquish the top spot on the ICC Men's ODI Team Rankings. Only 48 hours ago, the ICC had put Pakistan on top of the ODI Team Rankings. However, their reign was cut short following the defeat against New Zealand.

This update made some noise on social media as fans had some fun at the expense on Twitter of Pakistan’s misery.

Here are the tweets:

 

By Jatin Sharma - 08 May, 2023

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