Pakistan edge past Australia in ICC ODI rankings

Pakistan have climbed to fourth place in the ICC Men’s ODI team rankings, overtaking Australia after back-to-back victories over Sri Lanka and England in the ongoing tri-series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

The team now have 103 rating points, one behind third-placed South Africa on 104. India lead the table with 115 points, followed by New Zealand on 109.

Pakistan’s rise follows an 87-run win over England on Tuesday, powered by an outstanding all-round performance from Arafat Minhas.

Minhas struck 59 off 58 balls before taking six wickets for 40 runs — his best figures in his career — as England were dismissed for 215 while chasing a target of 303.

Pakistan had recovered from 81-4 to post 302-9, with Hasan Nawaz leading the scoring with 79 off 74 deliveries. Saad Baig contributed 35, while Faheem Ashraf added a brisk 39 from 26 balls towards the end of the innings.

England’s reply was led by Tom Banton, who scored 57, and Ben Duckett, who made 45, but Minhas helped break their resistance by taking key wickets, including those of Will Jacks and Adil Rashid in successive deliveries. He later ran out Gus Atkinson to cap his performance.

Pakistan will aim to continue their winning run in the tri-series as they seek to consolidate their position in the ODI rankings.