Before Asia Cup 2023, Pakistan Become No 1 ODI Team But Where Are India Ranked?

Pakistan defeated Afghanistan by 59 runs in the third and final One-Day International (ODI) on Saturday, August 26, to complete a 3-0 whitewash. As a result, Pakistan has risen to the top of the ODI rankings. They surpassed Australia, who had previously held the top spot.

Pakistan has already risen to the top spot in May, although only for a short while. The 3-0 thrashing of Afghanistan has given them more points than Australia. Pakistan now has 2725 points, while Australia has 2714.

Pakistan, headed by Babar Azam, had previously defeated Afghanistan by 142 runs in the first ODI and by one wicket in the second. Afghanistan failed to escape a whitewash by playing ordinary cricket once more.

In the third ODI, Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first. The Men in Green appeared to be in good form with the bat. They lost their openers early, but Babar Azam (60) and Mohammad Rizwan (67) both scored fifty. They fell, and the middle order collapsed once more. Mohammad Nawaz (30) and Afgha Salman (38) aided them in reaching 268 for 8 in 50 overs.

Afghanistan, on the other hand, got off to a slow start and never looked like catching up. No. 9 Mujeeb Ur Rahman led the way with 64 off 37 balls, but it wasn't enough to bring them over the line as others failed to deliver. Afghanistan was bowled out for 209 runs in 48.4 overs, losing by 59 runs.

The 3-0 series triumph has given Pakistan a big confidence boost ahead of the Asia Cup 2023. They are also the world's new number one ODI squad. India, their arch-rival and main challenger for the trophy, is ranked third in the globe.

The Asia Cup 2023 match between India and Pakistan will be contested on September 2 in Kandy, and it is expected to be the most anticipated cricket match of the year.

While Pakistan was preoccupied playing Afghanistan in a warm-up series for the Asia Cup, Team India held a talent camp in which all team members participated. It will be intriguing to observe how the Indian team's batting order looks against Pakistan now that Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul have both returned from injuries.