Players eye ranking with ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 in mind
Dubai, Sept 13 (IBNS) : Several leading players go into the upcoming Asia Cup aiming to not only consolidate their positions in the MRF Tyres ICC ODI Player Rankings but also to use the multi-nation tournament in preparation for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019.
With five of the six teams in the Asia Cup to feature in next year’s mega event, the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Shakib Al Hasan and Babar Azam are excited at the prospect of being pitted against the best of the region in the 15-28 September tournament in the United Arab Emirates.
The Asia Cup commences with a match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in Dubai on Saturday. Afghanistan, qualifiers Hong Kong, India and Pakistan get into action later as they try to qualify for the Super Four stage and get more tournament practice with just eight months to go for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 in England and Wales from May 30 to July 14.
India fast bowler Bumrah, who has a lead of 20 points over Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan, is looking to maintain his top position while Pakistan batsman Babar is hoping to bridge the big gap with Virat Kohli, who is not playing in this tournament. Similarly, Bangladesh’s Shakib is aiming to be at his best and show everyone why he is top-ranked among all-rounders.
Several openers who figure prominently in the rankings will be seen in action, including the India pair of Rohit Sharma (fourth) and Shikhar Dhawan (ninth), Bangladesh’s Tamim Iqbal (12th) and Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman (16th).
Among bowlers, Pakistan’s Hasan Ali is looking to claw his way back two spots to number one, while India spinners Kuldeep Yadav (sixth) and Yuzvendra Chahal (joint-ninth) are the others in the top 10.
In the MRF Tyres ICC ODI Team Rankings, India are the top-ranked side in the tournament. They are presently second with 121 points, six points behind England, while Pakistan are in fifth position and 104 points.
India, Pakistan and Hong Kong are in Group A while Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka form Group B for the preliminary stage. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super Fours with the top two sides from there making the final.
Aghanistan captain Asghar Afghan: “We are looking forward to playing in front of the UAE crowds as we prepare for the World Cup. We have a lot of fans here who will be following our fortunes.
“It is a chance for the team to gather ranking points on the ODI table and also to improve our individual rankings. We look forward to playing good, competitive cricket against good sides in the Asia Cup.”
Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza: “We have some great recent memories of the Asia Cup. We have been finalists in two of the last three events and on rankings we are the third best ODI team in Asia. That will inspire us and give us confidence as we get ready to play against some very tough sides.
“The ICC Cricket World Cup is what everyone is looking forward to with enthusiasm and this will help us prepare well with so many from here playing in the mega event next year.”
Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed: “This tournament is a great chance for us to rise up in the ICC ODI team rankings, especially since the ICC Cricket World Cup is not very far away.
“Half the teams who will feature in the World Cup are participating in the Asia Cup so it is a great chance for us to see where we stand. We have sweet memories of the ICC Champions Trophy last year but we have new challenges ahead.”
Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews: “This continental tournament gives us a chance to test ourselves against some good sides and also prepare for the ICC Cricket World Cup in the process.
“There are three higher ranked oppositions in the fray and it is a good chance to also move up in the ICC ODI rankings.”
Top-ranked bowler Jasprit Bumrah of India: “The Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates is going to be huge and I’m really looking forward to doing my best here.
“Being at the top of the ICC rankings is a matter of great pride for me. We will be playing against some leading players and I know the conditions can be challenging but I’m hoping to be at my best."
Top-ranked all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan of Bangladesh: “This continental tournament pits some leading players against each other and I’m sure fans would be hoping for some top-class action.
“It’s an honour to be the top-ranked all-rounder in ODIs and I am hoping to be at my best during the tournament.”
Second-ranked batsman Babar Azam of Pakistan: “We as a team are looking forward to the Asia Cup and I have some extra incentive in my individual ranking.
“I know Virat is way ahead in terms of rating points but this is definitely a chance to consolidate my position at number two and gain some valuable ranking points.”
Third-ranked bowler Hasan Ali of Pakistan: “The Asia Cup is going to be a well-fought tournament and an opportunity for a lot of our players.
“I have been top-ranked in the format earlier and will give it my best shot to try and reach the summit once again. This tournament provides me with a chance to work towards that objective.”
MRF Tyres ICC ODI Player Rankings (as of 13 September, before the Asia Cup):
BATSMEN (top 20)
Rank Player Team Points Avge Highest Rating
1 Virat Kohli Ind 911! 58.20 911 v Eng at Headingley 2018
2 Babar Azam Pak 825 54.80 846 v NZ at Wellington 2018
3 Joe Root Eng 818 51.61 819 v Aus at Brisbane 2018
4 Rohit Sharma Ind 806 44.98 825 v SL at Mohali 2017
5 David Warner Aus 803 43.43 880 v Pak at Adelaide 2017
6 Ross Taylor NZ 785 46.28 789 v Eng at Dunedin 2018
7 Quinton de Kock SA 781 45.25 808 v Ban at East London 2017
8 Kane Williamson NZ 778 46.87 798 v SA at Centurion 2015
9 Shikhar Dhawan Ind 770 45.72 794 v SA at Melbourne 2015
10 Jonny Bairstow Eng 769 50.30 777 v Aus at Durham 2018
11 Faf du Plessis SA 766 44.40 802 v Ind at Durban 2018
12 Tamim Iqbal Ban 737! 36.23 737 v Win at St Kitts 2018
13 Martin Guptill NZ 731 42.99 789 v SA at Hamilton 2017
14 Hashim Amla SA 729 49.65 901 v Eng at Trent Bridge 2012
15 MS Dhoni Ind 714 51.25 836 v Aus at Delhi 2009
16 Fakhar Zaman Pak 713*! 76.07 713 v Zim at Bulawayo 2018
17 Aaron Finch Aus 706 38.19 744 v Eng at Melbourne 2015
18 Jos Buttler Eng 701 40.35 723 v Ban at Mirpur 2016
19 Steve Smith Aus 675 41.84 752 v Pak at Sydney 2017
20= Travis Head Aus 670*! 37.00 670 v Eng at Old Trafford 2018
Jason Roy Eng 670 39.06 680 v Aus at Durham 2018
BOWLERS (top 20)
Rank Player Team Points Avge Eco. Highest Rating
1 Jasprit Bumrah Ind 775* 22.50 4.64 787 v SA at Centurion 2018
2 Rashid Khan Afg 755 14.22 3.92 787 v Zim at Sharjah 2018
3 Hasan Ali Pak 742* 20.88 5.21 766 v NZ at Wellington 2018
4 Trent Boult NZ 699 24.63 5.09 766 v Ind at Delhi 2016
5 Josh Hazlewood Aus 696 24.27 4.72 733 v Eng at Adelaide 2018
6 Kuldeep Yadav Ind 684* 19.35 4.82 698 v Eng at Lord's 2018
7 Adil Rashid Eng 681! 30.80 5.52 681 v Ind at Headingley 2018
8 Kagiso Rabada SA 676 27.62 5.09 724 v Eng at Lord's 2017
9= Imran Tahir SA 666 24.81 4.68 786 v SL at Johannesburg 2017
Y.Chahal Ind 666* 23.86 4.72 668 v Eng at Lord's 2018
11 Chris Woakes Eng 643 30.77 5.50 673 v NZ at Christchurch 2018
12 Mitchell Starc Aus 642 20.95 4.93 783 v NZ at Melbourne 2015
13 Mitchell Santner NZ 632 33.91 4.90 663 v Eng at Hamilton 2018
14 Moeen Ali Eng 621 45.08 5.09 629 v Aus at Old Trafford 2018
15 Akshar Patel Ind 615* 31.31 4.43 663 v Aus at Nagpur 2017
16 M. Rahman Ban 609* 20.01 4.71 610 v Win at Guyana 2018
17 Mohammad Nabi Afg 608 31.16 4.28 653 v Zim at Harare 2017
18 Pat Cummins Aus 607 28.45 5.38 626 v Eng at Adelaide 2018
19= M. Mortaza Ban 606 30.87 4.78 653 v Zim at Mirpur 2009
Matt Henry NZ 606 24.59 5.57 675 v Aus at Hamilton 2016
ALL-ROUNDERS (top five)
Rank Player Team Points Highest Rating
1 Shakib Al Hasan Ban 362 453 v Zim at Chittagong 2009
2 M. Hafeez Pak 322 438 v Ind at Kolkata 2013
3 Mitchell Santner NZ 317! 317 v Eng at Christchurch 2018
4 M. Nabi Afg 316 349 v Ire at Greater Noida 2017
5 A. Mathews SL 305 427 v Eng at Colombo (RPS) 2014
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