India retain top ODI spot after thumping World Cup win over Pakistan

FE Team | Published: October 15, 2023 23:35:19

ISLAMABAD, Oct 15 (Agencies): India retained their top spot in the ODI rankings after beating Pakistan in a one-sided World Cup contest between the two teams a day earlier, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Sunday.
Pakistan did not just have a shot at World Cup history when they took on India at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Saturday, they also stood a chance to reclaim what they were robbed off following their heartbreaking Asia Cup exit last month. But a brutal defeat, by an emphatic margin of seven wickets, saw Pakistan being denied of the two golden opportunities.
A collapse of epic margin saw Pakistan stutter from 151/2 to 191 all out in a matter of just 79 deliveries. Captain Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan looked to rebuild the innings with their 82-run third-wicket stand where the former notched his first ever ODI fifty against India, but twin strikes each from Kuldeep Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah successively saw Pakistan stutter and eventually succumb.
Rohit Sharma then continued his sublime form to score a second consecutive half-century-plus knock en route to his 63-ball 86 before Shreyas Iyer notched up his maiden World Cup fifty as India wrapped up the chase with 117 balls to spare.
Had Pakistan managed to alter the script on Saturday, it would have been their first ever win against India in a World Cup encounter. The resounding margin of 8-0 against Pakistan now puts India back on top for the best ever win-loss rate against a single opposition in the history of the 50-over event.
The highly anticipated Ahmedabad clash between Babar Azam's Pakistan and Rohit Sharma's India could have seen the green shirts leapfrog their way to the top of the MRF Men's ODI rankings.
However, courtesy of a stellar half-century by Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah's impressive bowling, India marched to a seven-wicket victory over Pakistan on Saturday in front of over 100,000 cricket fans.
"Pakistan hold onto second place in the rankings despite their defeat, with in-form South Africa in third spot," the ICC said in a report on its website.
Meanwhile, former five-time World Cup winners Australia have had a dismal start to the tournament, losing to India and South Africa in their two opening contests. They are placed at number four on the ODI rankings while New Zealand are placed at number five.
"India will look to show that world No.1 class when they take on Bangladesh in their next match on Thursday, while Pakistan will be looking to bounce back from Saturday's loss with the hope to progress to another meeting against their neighbors later in the competition," the ICC said.