The Pakistan cricket team on Friday reached a new high as it became the No. 1 ODI side in International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings. Babar Azam scored a superb century Friday to help lift Pakistan to the top of the ODI rankings after a thumping 102-run victory in the fourth match against New Zealand in Karachi. Azam stroked a 117-ball 107 and also became the fastest batter to reach 5,000 ODI runs, as his team made 334-6 in their 50 overs.
After the latest rankings were published, former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif had a subtle message for the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Asia Cricket Council (ACC). “Perfect timing to achieve No1. ODI rankings. This, supported by high rankings of Babar, Fakhar, Imam, Shaheen and Shadab, will make the ACC, ICC and their sponsors think hard before making any decisions. Pakistan is a force and they have demonstrated this again. Well done lads. @ICC @TheRealPCBMedia #BabarAzam,” he write on Twitter.
Over the last few months, there has been a lot of speculation regarding the final venue of the Asia Cup, which is slated to be held in Pakistan. After ACC head and BCCI secretary Jay Shah said that India won’t be travelling to Pakistan for the continental event, there has been many theories regarding how the tournament will take place. From hybrid model where India’s matches might be played at a neutral venue to the tournament getting postponed, the report have been varying. Some reports even suggested that Pakistan might reconsider its decision to travel to India for the 2023 World Cup, if the Asia Cup is not held in their country, however there has been no official confirmation regarding the same. In the middle of this. Latif’s message has come.
