Pakistan’s Champions Trophy berth confirmed in new ICC rankings

Published September 30, 2015
Azhar Ali's side are currently in the 8th spot in the ICC rankings just two points above the West Indies. — Reuters/File
Azhar Ali's side are currently in the 8th spot in the ICC rankings just two points above the West Indies. — Reuters/File

Pakistan's participation in the 2017 Champions Trophy was confirmed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in the new rankings released by the governing body on Wednesday.

Pakistan were locked in a three-way battle with Bangladesh and West Indies for the final spot of the Champions Trophy, but edged out the Caribbean side after an ODI series win in Sri Lanka in July.

Azhar Ali's side are currently in the 8th spot in the ICC rankings just two points above the West Indies who are placed 9th in the ODI Team Rankings on the September 30, 2015, cut-off date for qualification in the eight-nation Champions Trophy.

The eight sides to play in the short 2017 event to be hosted by England are (in rankings order): world champion Australia, title holder India, 1998 winner South Africa, 2000 champion New Zealand, 2002 co-winner Sri Lanka, host England, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Bangladesh will return to the ICC Champions Trophy for the first time since 2006.

Bangladesh has replaced the West Indies, which finished outside the top eight in ninth position and will miss participation in the Champions Trophy for the first time in the tournament's history.

The 2017 Champions Trophy will be a 15-match tournament, with teams split into two groups of four, with the top two teams in each group progressing to the semi-finals.

Courtesy ICC
Courtesy ICC

Opinion

Editorial

X post facto
Updated 19 Apr, 2024

X post facto

Our decision-makers should realise the harm they are causing.
Insufficient inquiry
19 Apr, 2024

Insufficient inquiry

UNLESS the state is honest about the mistakes its functionaries have made, we will be doomed to repeat our follies....
Melting glaciers
19 Apr, 2024

Melting glaciers

AFTER several rain-related deaths in KP in recent days, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority has sprung into...
IMF’s projections
Updated 18 Apr, 2024

IMF’s projections

The problems are well-known and the country is aware of what is needed to stabilise the economy; the challenge is follow-through and implementation.
Hepatitis crisis
18 Apr, 2024

Hepatitis crisis

THE sheer scale of the crisis is staggering. A new WHO report flags Pakistan as the country with the highest number...
Never-ending suffering
18 Apr, 2024

Never-ending suffering

OVER the weekend, the world witnessed an intense spectacle when Iran launched its drone-and-missile barrage against...