'Became No.1 ODI Side By Beating..'- Misbah-ul-Haq Lashes Out At Pakistan

image-lne2nl6xPakistan will play their opening WC 23 match today [X.com]

Pakistan's rise in One-Day International (ODI) cricket has been heartening. The Babar Azam-led side went on to become the No.1 Ranked ODI team in the world for the first time since ICC introduced its ranking system in 2005.

However, former captain and head coach Misbah-ul-Haq has asserted that the ranking came only after Pakistan defeated weak teams. Speaking on The Pavillion, Misbah stated that Azam and Co. won over Australia's C and New Zealand's D teams when they visited Pakistan and gained easy points. 

Pakistan claimed three-ODI series against Australia 2-1 and hammered New Zealand in April this year, winning the five-match series 4-0 and jumped to No.1 rank. 

Here's what Misbah said

"New Zealand and Australia came to Pakistan. They were the top-ranked teams. Their C and D team came. We won against them and our rating points increased. Then West Indies and other teams came and we won against them as well. We became happy by achieving No. 1 rank, but we should keep actual facts in mind."

"Australia’s C team even won one match against us. Then New Zealand’s D team came, as all their main players went for IPL. We need to realistically think where do we stand as our main team is playing and their third tier players are playing, yet they are getting so close to us. Ranking doesn’t matter."

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram also stated that becoming No.1 should be the focus, but maintaining that position should be the priority. 

Pakistan begin their World Cup 2023 campaign today at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad taking on the Netherlands. The one-time World Cup winner heads into the match having lost both their warm-ups.