Before the start of the series, Pakistan was ranked fifth in the rankings with a rating of 102. But a 3-0 clean sweep over the Windies took them to No. 4 with a rating of 106, leaving India behind at 105.
Pakistan has performed brilliantly in the 50-over format over the years. Apart from the loss against England away from home, they have beaten all the teams and the players have also looked in good form. The series won included 2–1 series wins against Zimbabwe and South Africa.
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When they came to tour Pakistan for the first time since 1998, Pakistan defeated Australia by the same margin. West Indies had no chance against Pakistan as they were beaten 3-0.
This period of emergence has come under the captaincy of Babar Azam, who has set an example for Pakistan in all formats of the game. With his recent century in the first match against the West Indies, he became the first batsman to score three consecutive ODI centuries twice, having achieved the feat in 2016 as well.
And with a half-century in the second ODI, he broke the world record for consecutive 50 scores (9) in men’s international cricket across all formats. The top-order ODI batsman has built up a team of dependable players along the way. One of them is Imam-ul-Haq, who has been consistently playing the role of anchor and has scored seven 50 scores in his last seven ODIs to show his efforts. ICC Men’s Player of the Year Shaheen Afridi has been the leader of the bowlers’ group which includes Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim and Shadab Khan.
However, India will have a chance to climb up the rankings as they play England and West Indies (three ODIs each) before playing Pakistan’s next ODI series in August.