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'Chalo koi nahi, inka time acha chal raha hai' - Fans react to Pakistan becoming Number 1 ODI team for first time in history

Pakistan has become the number 1 team in the ODI format of the game after their fourth consecutive win against New Zealand

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Rohit Kumar
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Pakistan Cricket Team

Pakistan Cricket Team (Source: Twitter)

After crushing New Zealand by 102 runs in the fourth one-day international of a five-match series on Friday, May 5, Pakistan surpassed New Zealand to take the top spot in the ICC rankings for one-day international teams. After Pakistan scored a massive total because of Babar Azam's century, their team's bowling performance enabled them win the match and take a 4-0 series lead.  

With an average rating of 106 before the series began, Pakistan was ranked fifth in the ODI rankings, but after dominating New Zealand at home in the first four games of the series, they have surpassed both Australia and India.

With 113.483 points, Pakistan leads the ODI standings, followed by Australia (113.286) in second and India (112.638) in third. The No. 1 rank is an important victory for Pakistan during the year of the ODI World Cup as they have recently been playing excellent white-ball cricket.

After the decisive victory on Friday, captain Babar Azam felt overwhelmed with pride and acknowledged the team's efforts and the assistance of the coaching staff for the team's rise to the top of the ICC ODI Rankings.

Babar took the initiative on Friday, scoring 107 off 117 balls to help the home team reach 334 for 6 in 50 overs. As soon as Pakistan dismissed Fakhar Zaman (14), they accumulated 50 runs off the second wicket with Shan Masood (44) and Babar. Babar scored his 18th ODI century and passed the 5000 run mark in ODIs. 

Mohammad Rizwan contributed with 24, while captain Babar and Agha Salman produced a 117-run partnership while the captain was effective against pace as well as spin. After hitting 58 off just 46 balls, Agha Salman was followed by cameos down the order. Shaheen Afridi stroked his bat to score a 7-ball 23, that featured 3 sixes, while Mohammad Haris scored 17 off just 8 balls.

New Zealand had a difficult time answering Pakistan's strong bowling attack. There were only two useful contributions: Mark Chapman's 46 and the skipper Tom Latham's 60. Usma Mir, a leg-spinner, was the most effective bowler, taking 4 wickets, followed by Mohammad Wasim Jr., who grabbed 3 wickets.

Fans react to Pakistan becoming Number 1 ODI team for first time in history : -

 

Pakistan Babar Azam New Zealand Mohammad Rizwan Shaheen Shah Afridi