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 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