Predicting the ICC T20 World Rankings at the Start of the ICC World Twenty20
The ICC World Twenty20 is a whole five months away from getting underway in India, but it is never too early to look ahead.
In particular, it is never too early to predict where teams will be in the ICC world rankings in March, and how things might change between now and then.
Right now, Sri Lanka are top of the pile, followed by Pakistan, Australia, the West Indies and India in the rest of the top five.
There are 15 total teams in the ICC Twenty20 international rankings, and working on the assumption that those 15 will remain in the rankings, let’s get to the predictions.
Upcoming T20I Fixtures
1 of 16
India vs. South Africa, Oct. 8
Zimbabwe vs. Afghanistan, Oct. 27-29
Sri Lanka vs. West Indies, Nov. 9-12
Pakistan vs. England, Nov. 26-30
New Zealand vs. Sri Lanka, Jan. 7-10
New Zealand vs. Pakistan, Jan. 15-22
Australia vs. India, Jan. 26-31
South Africa vs. England, Feb. 19-21
South Africa vs. Australia, Mar. 4-9
15. Ireland
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Without any scheduled T20I matches between now and the ICC World Twenty20, Ireland will stay rooted to the foot of the rankings.
A lack of games may come back to haunt them, but they are still one of the strongest ICC Associate members.
14. Netherlands
3 of 16
Another team dormant in T20I are the Netherlands, who will need to find other ways to prepare for the ICC World Twenty20.
The Dutch are blessed with some talented players, but they are short on chances for them to play together in international matches.
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13. Scotland
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Similarly, Scotland are without T20I fixtures between now and March’s ICC World Twenty20, so they will also still be in the lower reaches of the rankings.
Another talented Associate team, the Scots have to be careful not to come into the tournament undercooked.
12. Hong Kong
5 of 16
The final Associate member to be without T20I fixtures between now and the ICC World Twenty20 are Hong Kong, who will expect to drop in the rankings.
Still a relatively young cricketing nation, Hong Kong may well have a bright future in the sport in the coming years.
11. Afghanistan
6 of 16
Afghanistan travel to Zimbabwe for a T20I series in their only games between now and the ICC World Twenty20, and they might well fancy a win or two away from home.
The Afghans have had a truly remarkable run to the upper reaches of international cricket, and with more games under their belts will surely make further progress.
10. Zimbabwe
7 of 16
Zimbabwe have just one series of T20I games before the ICC World Twenty20, as they welcome Afghanistan for a brief tour.
The Zimbabweans will expect to win that series handily, and as such it should do their T20I world ranking some good heading into the next international tournament.
9. Bangladesh
8 of 16
Like their Associate member colleagues, Bangladesh are not currently scheduled to play any T20Is between now and the ICC World Twenty20.
They have enough ranking points to ensure they do not fall down the rankings but will need some preparation if they are to be successful in March.
8. West Indies
9 of 16
As they prepare for the ICC World Twenty20, the West Indies face the difficult prospect of travelling to Sri Lanka, who are currently No. 1 in the world in the format.
It will be a tough series, and so the West Indians should expect to drop a little from where they are right now, especially with their team in seemingly constant turmoil.
7. England
10 of 16
England have a busy winter in prospect as they travel to Pakistan and South Africa, with both tours including significant numbers of T20I fixtures.
Still finding their way in the format with a team in something of a transition, these are hard assignments for the English, who may not expect to make too much upward progress in the rankings.
6. New Zealand
11 of 16
New Zealand have home series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan to look forward to in T20I—tough assignments against some intriguing opposition.
They may not go undefeated, but the Black Caps should certainly expect some victories, so as such will move up to No. 6 in the rankings ahead of the ICC World Twenty20.
5. South Africa
12 of 16
South Africa will be very busy this winter preparing for the ICC World Twenty20, as they travel to India then welcome Australia and England for home series.
The Proteas’ talent and depth is undeniable, and while they face some serious challenges, they should come out on top and move up in the rankings.
4. India
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With South Africa and Australia on the horizon, India similarly have some tough tests ahead of them before they host the ICC World Twenty20.
Another team filled with depth and potential superstars, the Indians will be hopeful of moving up the rankings, or at the very least maintaining their place in the top five.
3. Australia
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A home series against India and an away series against South Africa are in prospect for Australia, a team in the process of freshening up an aging team.
They are another deep side with plenty of budding young superstars, and although the challenges ahead of them may be tough, they should do well rankings-wise.
2. Pakistan
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Set to stay in the top two, Pakistan welcome England to the United Arab Emirates for a home series before travelling to New Zealand.
The Pakistanis have found something of a winning formula in the game’s shortest form in recent times, and with plenty of exciting youngsters coming through, they have a bright future.
1. Sri Lanka
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Set to stay atop the T20I global rankings, Sri Lanka will want to dominate their home series against the West Indies then impress away in New Zealand.
They should stay top of the rankings even as teams around them play more games, and the onus is on them to repeat their previous tournament victory at the ICC World Twenty20.
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