Race for top ODI team ranking hots up ahead of World Cup

Australia currently hold on to a narrow lead

(Web Desk) - The race to be the No.1 ranked ODI side at the start of ICC Men's Cricket World Cup intensifies over the next few days as the Asia Cup comes to an exciting conclusion in Sri Lanka.

Australia currently hold on to a narrow lead at the head of the MRF Tyres ODI Team Rankings, but both second-placed Pakistan and third-placed India have the five-time World Cup champions in their sights ahead of a busy period of 50-over cricket.

We take a look at the fixtures each side will play ahead of the start of the World Cup on October 5.

Australia Current ranking: 1 Current rating: 121 Upcoming fixtures: South Africa (September 12, September 15, September 17), India (September 22, September 24, September 27)

Australia are in the box seat to be the No.1 ranked side at the start of the World Cup given they already hold a three-point advantage over their closest rivals and three upcoming fixtures against South Africa will push them even closer to this.

Victories in those three matches against the Proteas would help the Aussies clinch a series sweep, but conversely two or more losses will provide Pakistan and India the chance to overhaul them and take the No.1 ranking prior to the World Cup.

Australia's three-match series in India at the end of this month will then have a major say at who has the top ranking at the start of the World Cup.

Pakistan Current ranking: 2 Current rating: 118 Upcoming fixtures: Sri Lanka (September 14), Potential Asia Cup Final (September 17)

Pakistan's chances of obtaining the No.1 ranking at the start of the World Cup rests heavily on their final Super Four match against Sri Lanka at the Asia Cup.

Babar Azam's charges will likely need to win that clash - and have other results go their way - to earn a place in the Asia Cup decider and another victory in that match may be enough to catapult Pakistan into the premier position prior to the World Cup.

Unfortunately, Pakistan have no further ODI matches between the end of the Asia Cup and the start of the World Cup to further strengthen their claim, apart from the warm-up fixtures for the World Cup against New Zealand and Australia that don't carry ODI status.

This may work in their favour though, if they can win the Asia Cup and have Australia and India drop valuable rating points in the meantime.

India Current ranking: 3 Current rating: 115 Upcoming fixtures: Sri Lanka (September 12), Bangladesh (September 15), Potential Asia Cup Final (September 17), Australia (September 22, September 24, September 27)

India play the most ODI matches of any of the top three challengers for the No.1 ranking and this could potentially help them overtake Australia and Pakistan if they can continue their recent winning form.

Rohit Sharma's side are yet to taste defeat at this year's Asia Cup and they could mathematically reach the No.1 position by winning the tournament should Australia and Pakistan lose their upcoming fixtures.

In a similar vein to Australia, India's upcoming three-match series against Pat Cummins side may prove pivotal in deciding which team heads into the World Cup with the No.1 ranking.