Srinagar: For the first time ever, Pakistan cricket team has got chance to achieve No.1 ranking in ICC ODI team rankings.
The stand between Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam helped Pakistan defeat New Zealand by 26 runs to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series to stay on course to top the ICC ODI Team Rankings for the first time.
The two lads added 108 runs for the second wicket off 121 balls as Pakistan, put into bat, posted 287 for six on a slow surface. In turn, New Zealand capitulated after a solid and positive 83-run first wicket stand to be bowled out for 261 in 49.1 overs.
With the series now in the bag, their first against New Zealand in 12 years, Pakistan will attempt to win the remaining two matches on Friday and Sunday so that they can vault from fifth to first on the ICC ODI Team Rankings. If this happens, this will be the first time Pakistan will achieve the number-one rankings, bettering their number-three ranking they had achieved in January 2007.
