Pakistan rise up to No.1 ODI team in ICC rankings

Pakistan overcame New Zealand by 102 runs in the fourth one-day international (ODI) at the National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi on Friday, May 5. Having won all the first four matches, the hosts are leading the five-match series by 4-0.

After defeating New Zealand in the fourth ODI, Pakistan moved up to the top of the ODI team rankings for the first time since the ICC formally accepted the rankings in January 2005. The Babar Azam-led side was ranked fifth in the ODI rankings before the start of the five-match series, with a rating of 106. Meanwhile, New Zealand were second before the series started in Rawalpindi in April.

Pakistan now have a rating of 113.483, surpassing Australia (113.286) and India (112.638). To stay on top of the table, the Men in Green must complete a clean sweep by winning the fifth and final ODI on Sunday, May 7 in Karachi. If they lose the final ODI, they will go back to third place, while Australia and India will regain the first and second place respectively.

Pakistan beat New Zealand by 102 in 4th ODI

Pakistan registered a massive 102-run win over New Zealand in the fourth ODI. New Zealand skipper Tom Latham won the toss and invited the hosts to bat first. Skipper Babar Azam’s century and Salman Ali Agha’s half-century helped Pakistan to set a 335-run target for the visiting side. Babar smashed 107 from 117 balls, including 10 boundaries while Salman scored 58 runs from 46 deliveries. For Kiwis, Matt Henry claimed a three-wicket haul while Benjamin Lister and Ish Sodhi picked one each.

New Zealand failed to chase down the target as they were bundled out for 232 in 43.4 overs. Skipper Tom Latham smashed a half-century, scoring 60 off 76 deliveries. For Pakistan, Usama Mir claimed a four-wicket haul while Mohammad Wasim Jr. picked three, Haris Rauf grabbed two, and Shaheen Afridi scalped one.