New Zealand regains No.1 T20I rankings

Its 2-0 victory over West Indies in the three-match series takes it atop the MRF Tyres ICC T20I Team Rankings

New Zealand have returned to the top of the MRF Tyres ICC T20I Team Rankings after winning the three-match series against the Windies by 2-0.

New Zealand had entered the series against the Windies in third place behind Pakistan (124 points) and India (121 points) on 120 points.

New Zealand moved ahead of India after winning the first T20I by 47 runs and then leapfrogged Pakistan into the number-one position after clinching the third T20I by 119 runs. The second T20I was rained-off.

New Zealand are now on 126 points, while the Windies have dropped from 120 points to 115 points in fifth position.

New Zealand had last held the number-one position in October 2017, before they slipped to third following their series loss to India in November.

New Zealand will now put their number-one ranking on the line when they will take on Pakistan in the three-match series to be played on 22, 25 and 28 January. To retain the top spot, the

Blackcaps will have to beat Pakistan by 2-1 or better. Their failure to win the series will mean Pakistan will be back at the top of the table.

MRF Tyres ICC T20I Team Rankings (as on 3 January, after New Zealand v Windies series):

Rank Team Points

1. New Zealand 126 (+6)

2. Pakistan 124

3. India 121

4. England 119

5. Windies 115 (-5)

6. South Africa 112

7. Australia 111

8. Sri Lanka 88

9. Afghanistan 86

10. Bangladesh 76

11. Scotland 67

12. Zimbabwe 65

13. UAE 52

14. Netherlands 49

15. Hong Kong 46

16. PNG 39

17. Oman 38

18. Ireland 36