Last month, Pakistan achieved their all-time highest ranking in Tests as they became the number one side. On the contrary, in One Day Internationals (ODIs), things are contrasting for them. With 86 rating points, Pakistan occupies the ninth spot on the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) ranking, their lowest-ever rating.
The Azhar Ali-led side lost the series 1-4 against England. This slump in ODI rankings may hamper Pakistan’s automatic or direct qualification for the 50-over World Cup in 2019. Top seven teams along with hosts England will directly qualify for the World Cup.
Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur said that the team has endangered their chances of direct qualification to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. Arthur has advised the players and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to move up the ladder if they need to play “high risk, high octane” cricket.
“With the brand of cricket they are playing, definitely. We can’t play that brand of cricket anymore. We have got to be brave. You have got to take the game on”, said Arthur.
Pakistan will play only 14 ODIs before the September 30, 2017, deadline. If Pakistan does not improve their ranking, then they have to compete in a qualifying tournament in April 2018. Ten teams will play the tournament. Only two teams will go through.
“I have to be realistic. We haven’t got the time, but we have started the journey now. We will have to start again. I have got a really good feel for personnel and the areas we need to improve on. I have looked at people we can work with, people we can bring in and I am comfortable we will be okay. We have got the way to go and it is a journey”, told Arthur.
“If we keep picking the same players, we are going to get the same results. And we will be sitting at No. 9 spot in the rankings. We have nothing to lose. We just have to invest in some players. I know for a fact that from the first ODI to the fifth in England we changed the whole brand and style of cricket”, stated Arthur.
Arthur wanted to change his team immediately and drastically. “I want us to play an attacking brand of cricket, a brand that is good to watch, a brand that inspires the players to play and gives you so much more gratification from your supporters. It must be a brand that challenges, it must be a brand that stimulates, but it must be a brand that is encapsulated by fun’, added Arthur.