ISLAMABAD, July 15: Pakistan can become the fourth or even third-best one-day cricket team in the world if they win the Asia Cup starting in Sri Lanka on Friday.
Pakistan are currently placed sixth on the official one-day table. Their Asia Cup title-rivals Sri Lanka and India hold fourth and fifth positions respectively, behind Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.
The International Cricket Council will update its official One-day International table early next month, also taking into account the Asia Cup performances. Presently, Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan are separated by only four ratings points which means that a strong showing from any of the sides should be enough to put them ahead of their regional rivals before the update.
Sri Lanka will be looking to capitalise on their home advantage and if they can win all of their matches, they will leapfrog New Zealand and South Africa to claim econd spot in the official ODI table.
South Africa have been second on the table since it was launched in October 2002. An indifferent run of form over the last 18 months means that even if Sri Lanka doesn't snatch second place during the Asia Cup, South Africa could still be displaced by one or more better-performing sides when the updated ratings are announced at the end of the tournament.
