Can clean sweep vs WIndies help Pakistan qualify for the World Cup?

KARACHI: After Pakistan’s humiliating 4-1 loss in the 5-match series against England, there were talks if Pakistan will be able to manage a direct qualification to the 2019 Cricket World cup, or it will have to face the embarrassment of playing qualifiers.

But, Pakistan’s chances to qualify directly for the series is still very much alive, and the three ODIs in home series against West Indies will provide Pakistan a great opportunity to regain position among top 8 teams.

According to ICC, England and top 7 teams on 30th Sept 2017 will directly qualify for the World Cup 2019, rest will play qualifiers.

Pakistan is currently placed at 9th position with 86 points, 8 points behind ranked 8th West Indies.

And, a white-wash against West Indies will bring Pakistan back to top eight teams and on track for the direct qualification, although consistency will remain the key for men-in-green’s direct qualification.

A 3-0 win against West Indies will help Pakistan gain three points, but the result would see six points being deducted from West Indies’ ratings. Which means, Pakistan will be on 8th with 89 and West Indies will slipped down to 9th with 88.

But, that wouldn’t be enough for Pakistan. Team Pakistan is scheduled to play at least 17 ODIs before the cut-off date for world cup qualification.

These include three at home against West Indies this month, five against Australia in December/January, three against West Indies in Caribbean in April next year, at least three in ICC Champions Trophy and three ODIs against Bangladesh in August next year.

Pakistan may be currently on 9th and look struggling, but it is not all over for them. A good performance against West Indies, followed by consistence performance in matches to come will make it easy for Pakistan to avoid embarrassment of playing World Cup qualifiers.