ICC releases ODI rankings

Pakistan retained 8th position in the ODI Team rankings released by The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday.

South Africa, Australia and India bagged the first three positions respectively.  

Pakistan  will begin their Champions Trophy  campaign with an explosive encounter against arch-rivals India, the defending champions, in Birmingham on June 4.

That match will be followed by another tough game against South Africa on June 7, also in Birmingham. In their last pool game, Pakistan will meet Sri Lanka in Cardiff on June 12.

It’s a tough draw and unless Pakistan punch above their weight, the team’s chances of progressing to the semi-finals of the tournament do not appear to be bright.

 However, Pakistan’s captain Sarfraz Ahmed is upbeat about his team’s chances.

The team’s spirits are certainly high after having won the T20, ODI and Test series during the recently-concluded tour of the West Indies.