Players eye rankings with ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 in mind
• Several leading players in the MRF Tyres ICC ODI Player Rankings to feature in six-nation Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates
• Afghanistan 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”
• Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza: “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.”
• India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah: “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."
• Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed: “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: “There are three higher ranked oppositions in the fray and it is a good chance to move up in the ICC ODI rankings”
BREAKING: @chandi_17 has been ruled out of Sri Lanka's squad for the Asia Cup, needing more time to recover from a finger injury.
— ICC (@ICC) September 10, 2018
Niroshan Dickwella has been called up as his replacement.
➡️ https://t.co/dwnDTGA1CQ pic.twitter.com/E5rVFM1oPU
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.
"Fakhar Zaman doesn't allow any bulls to fight in his head" – Aamer Sohail on the @FakharZamanLive effect, and why 🇵🇰 have an advantage in #AsiaCup.
— ICC (@ICC) September 13, 2018
➡️ https://t.co/0Zca9Y08a4 pic.twitter.com/CBtxuReVqU
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 30 May to 14 July.
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).
"We have been preparing quite well, so hopefully we can deliver."@Mahmudullah30 looks ahead to the #Asia Cup.
— ICC (@ICC) September 12, 2018
➡️ https://t.co/IV1MwI2GhE pic.twitter.com/jiEmHnRsS1
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.
"That match is in the past" – @SarfarazA_54 isn't going to be thinking about the Champions Tophy final when Pakistan 🇵🇰 take on India 🇮🇳 in the #AsiaCup.
— ICC (@ICC) September 11, 2018
➡️ https://t.co/laDhpnMMpB pic.twitter.com/pL7v9JpBpi
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.”
The ODI team rankings, unlike the Test rankings, are updated after each match. The predictor function is available here.
MRF Tyres ICC ODI Team Rankings (as of 13 September, before the Asia Cup):
| Rank | Team | Points |
| 1 | England | 127 |
| 2 | India | 121 |
| 3 | New Zealand | 112 |
| 4 | South Africa | 110 |
| 5 | Pakistan | 104 |
| 6 | Australia | 100 |
| 7 | Bangladesh | 92 |
| 8 | Sri Lanka | 80 |
| 9 | West Indies | 69 |
| 10 | Afghanistan | 62 |
| 11 | Zimbabwe | 53 |
| 12 | Ireland | 39 |
| 13 | Scotland | 33 |
| 14 | UAE | 21 |
*Nepal and the Netherlands will qualify for a full ranking after playing two more matches each
(Developed by David Kendix)
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! | 58.2 | 911 v Eng at Headingley 2018 |
| 2 | Babar Azam | Pak | 825 | 54.8 | 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 | 50.3 | 777 v Aus at Durham 2018 |
| 11 | Faf du Plessis | SA | 766 | 44.4 | 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 | 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* | 22.5 | 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! | 30.8 | 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 | 5.5 | 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 | 4.9 | 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 |
