Series win over Pakistan can lift Bangladesh in ICC ODI rankings

Bangladesh have a chance to climb to ninth in the International Cricket Council (ICC) ODI rankings if they beat Pakistan in the upcoming three-match series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, scheduled from March 11 to 15.

Currently ranked 10th with 76 rating points, Bangladesh trail ninth-placed West Indies (77 points) by a single point. A 2-1 series win would lift the Tigers to 79 points and ninth place, while a 3-0 sweep would take them to 80 points.

However, a 2-1 series defeat would leave Bangladesh tied on 77 points with West Indies but still behind on decimal points, while a 3-0 loss would see them drop to 74 points.

Pakistan, presently fourth in the ODI rankings, will retain their position regardless of the series outcome, though their rating points may change.

The series holds added significance for Bangladesh as they are currently outside the automatic qualification spots for the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup, scheduled to be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia in October-November.

Hosts South Africa and Zimbabwe will qualify automatically along with the top eight teams in the ICC ODI rankings as of March 31, 2027, while the remaining four places will be determined through qualifiers. Despite co-hosting for the first time, Namibia will not receive automatic qualification as they are not a full ICC member.

Pakistan are set to arrive in Bangladesh on March 9 and will train the following day ahead of the opening ODI on March 11. The remaining matches are scheduled for March 13 and 15.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday announced a 15-member ODI squad for the series. Former captain Babar Azam is the most notable omission, while left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi will continue to lead the side.

The squad also features six uncapped players: Abdul Samad, Maaz Sadaqat, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan and Shamyl Hussain.

Bangladesh are yet to announce their squad for the series.