Kiwis looking to retain top T20I ranking

Oct.31 (CRICKETNMORE) - India will do Pakistan a huge favour if they defeat New Zealand in an upcoming three-match Twenty20 International series as such a result will see their arch rivals top the latest ICC T20I Team Rankings.

New Zealand are the top-ranked side in the shortest format with 125 points but Pakistan have closed in to within one point after securing a 3-0 win in their series against Sri Lanka that culminated in Lahore on Sunday.

India are placed fifth at 116 points and can at best go to second position with a 3-0 win over New Zealand which will take them to 122 points. Pakistan will reach the top rank with their tally of 124 points in such a scenario with New Zealand slipping to 114 points and fifth position. Even a 2-1 series win for India will be enough for Pakistan to move to the top with New Zealand slipping to 121 points.

India-NZ 1st T20I Match Preview

India v New Zealand series scenarios:

• India win 3-0 - India 122 points, New Zealand 114 points
• India win 2-1- New Zealand 121 points, India 118 points
• New Zealand win 2-1- New Zealand 126 points, India 115 points
• New Zealand win 3-0 - New Zealand 132 points, India 111 points

ICC T20I Team Rankings (as of 31 October, before the India-New Zealand series):

Rank    Team                Points

1          New Zealand     125

2          Pakistan           124 (+3)

3          West Indies       120

4          England            119

5          India                 116

6          South Africa      112 (+2)

7          Australia           111

8          Sri Lanka          91 (-2)

9          Afghanistan      86

10         Bangladesh       76 (-2)

11         Scotland           67

12         Zimbabwe         65

13         UAE                 52

14         Netherlands       49

15         Hong Kong       46

16         PNG                 39

17         Oman               38

18         Ireland              36