There was a lot riding on the three-match ODI series between Pakistan and New Zealand in Karachi, given all that had transpired in the south Asian country over the past few months.
Pakistan were hoping to build on a remarkable T20 World Cup in Australia, where they seemed down and out after defeats in their first two games before fighting all the way to the final, denied a chance to lift the trophy by England.
The subsequent home series against England and New Zealand were seen as a chance to build on that momentum and also help international cricket flourish at home in a year littered with high-profile visits by teams.
However, a 3-0 Test series whitewash by an England team experimenting with a new philosophy of all out attacking cricket in Tests took Pakistan cricket to the brink of implosion. It brought about a complete overhaul of Pakistan's cricket establishment, with a new chairman and committee of selectors taking office.
The results following the change were encouraging. Pakistan fought hard to level the two-match Test series against the visiting Kiwis, coming within 15 runs of an incredible win in the second Test before bad light forced a draw.
Pakistan then faced the Black Caps in a three-match ODI series which provided a golden chance for both teams to clinch the No 1 ranking.
Babar Azam's team needed to win the series 3-0 to move up to the top spot, with a number of other teams right behind in a congested top five in the ICC table.
-
Ben Stokes and Liam Livingstone of England celebrate victory in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Final against Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on November 13, 2022. Getty -
England players celebrate with the trophy. AP -
England celebrate winning the ICC Men's T20 World Cup final. Getty -
Ben Stokes and Sam Curran of England celebrate. Getty -
Ben Stokes and Sam Curran of England celebrate. Getty -
England's Ben Stokes and Liam Livingstone celebrate. AFP -
England supporters celebrate victory at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. AFP -
Pakistan players wait for presentation ceremonies after losing to England. AP -
Alex Hales, Ben Stokes, Adil Rashid and Chris Jordan of England celebrate. Getty -
Ben Stokes of England celebrates. Getty -
Ben Stokes of England celebrates victory. AFP -
Pakistan's Shaheen Afridi is injured after taking a catch to dismiss England's Harry Brook. AFP -
Shaheen Afridi of Pakistan receives treatment for an injury. Getty -
Ben Stokes of England hits out. Getty -
Adil Rashid of England celebrates after taking the wicket of Mohammad Haris of Pakistan. Getty -
Adil Rashid of England takes a catch off his own bowling to dismiss Babar Azam of Pakistan. Getty -
England's Moeen Ali bats against Pakistan. AP -
Pakistan's Haris Rauf celebrates the wicket of England's Jos Buttler. AFP -
Sam Curran of England celebrates after taking the wicket of the Muhammad Rizwan of Pakistan. Getty -
Pakistan captain Babar Azam bats. EPA -
Pakistan's Shan Masood is beaten for pace. AFP -
Shan Masood of Pakistan receives medical attention after being hit on the helmet. EPA -
Jos Buttler of England leaves the field after being dismissed. EPA -
Shadab Khan of Pakistan hits out on his way to making a score of 20. Getty -
Shan Masood of Pakistan plays a shot. EPA -
England's Ben Stokes plays a reverse sweep. AFP -
Pakistan and England supporters at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. AP -
England's Sam Curran bowls. AFP -
Ben Stokes of England plays a stroke. Getty -
Harry Brook of England dives to make his ground. Getty -
England's Ben Stokes congratulates teammate Sam Curran at the end of his bowling spell. AP -
England captain Jos Buttler plays a ramp shot. AFP -
England's Chris Jordan celebrates with teammate Ben Stokes after dismissing Pakistan's Shadab Khan. PA -
England's Ben Stokes. PA -
Pakistan's Mohammad Wasim bowls. AFP -
Shadab Khan of Pakistan celebrates after taking the wicket of Harry Brook of England. Getty -
Naseem Shah of Pakistan appeals. Getty
Pakistan won the opening match of the series by six wickets, with the top spot firmly in their sights. However, a comprehensive 79-run defeat in the second ODI has put a spanner in the works.
Who is the No 1 team in ODIs now?
After New Zealand's win in the second match, Kane Williamson's team have climbed to the top of the ODI rankings. However, the congestion at the top means New Zealand should not expect to remain there for long.
As of Thursday, New Zealand are at the top on 115 points. England are right behind them on 113, Australia on 112, India on 109 and Pakistan on 108 points. Victory for Pakistan in the second ODI would have pushed them to the top of the table.
Can Pakistan become the top-ranked ODI side?
Pakistan next face the Kiwis in the series decider in Karachi on Friday. If Pakistan win the match, they will finally have a home series win. However, they will not get to rise to the top of the ODI rankings. If Pakistan win, the Kiwis will lose their top spot, with the home team only rising to fourth in the table.
