After a very long time, Pakistanis, especially cricket lovers, have something to rejoice about. For the first time in one-day international (ODI) history, Pakistan has reached the top position in the International Cricket Council (ICC) ODI ranking, which was introduced by the ICC back in 2005. The highest position the Pakistan cricket team reached before this feat was third which they attained in January 2018 and later in June 2022. With the latest ODI ranking, Pakistan has now occupied the top slot in all formats of the game on various occasions.
In 2016, Pakistan clinched the number one spot in the ICC Test rankings. Later in November 2017, the team managed to bag the top slot in the ICC T20 world ranking. The Pakistani team remained number one in the T20 format for 27 months before Australia replaced them. The latest feat was achieved by Pakistan for the first time in 18 years by beating New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi. Before the home series with New Zealand, Pakistan was ranked fifth in the ODI ranking system whereas the Kiwis were second. This is undoubtedly a big achievement and a feather in the cap of Babar Azam, who led his team from the front and on the way achieved another personal record for himself too. He became the fastest player to reach 5,000 ODI runs after he struck his 18th century in the format. Another batsman who performed exceptionally in the series was Fakhar Zaman, who hit three centuries in as many matches against the Kiwis.
By winning the series 4-1, Pakistan has gained confidence and will go into the World Cup later this year in a strong position. Now whether Pakistan would participate in the ICC World Cup being held in India is another question. Relations between the two neighbours are at their lowest ebb ever since Indian-occupied Kashmir’s autonomous status was revoked by New Delhi in 2019. However, it is India that has politicised the game by announcing that its cricket team would not participate in the Asia Cup in Pakistan, which is being held a month before the main cricket festival.
It must be mentioned here that the ICC has a major role to play in teams’ participation in various tournaments. Irrespective of the political differences, a sport should be taken as a sport and not for political arm-twisting. And this should apply everywhere – be it in football, cricket, or the Olympics.
