New Zealand and Pakistan will have an opportunity to achieve the number-one T20 ranking for the first time when they lock horns in the three-match series in Auckland on Friday, Jan 15.

Following its 2-0 win over Sri Lanka, New Zealand has joined Pakistan with 114 points.

The side which wins all three matches in the forthcoming series will move ahead of the West Indies in number-one spot, whereas the losing side will drop to eighth position.

Moreover, the side that wins the series 2-1 will leapfrog South Africa into fifth position.

The ICC T20 Championship table is extremely tight with only eight points separating the top eight sides.

With a number of matches to be played in the lead up to the ICC World T20 in India, it is likely that there will be plenty of reshuffling at the top of the order. — ICC