ODI World Cup 2023: ICC rankings are skewed as a result of we don’t get to play lot of the highest nations, says Pakistan coach Grant Bradburn

Coach Grant Bradburn wore a confused look on Monday when a scribe inquired how Pakistan went from being one of many favourites going into the ODI World Cup to by some means making an attempt to maintain its marketing campaign from foundering at current.

“I’m not sure where you get ‘favourites’ from. There are 150 cricketers who are the best on the planet. In terms of ICC rankings, we know they are skewed because we don’t get to play India and a lot of the top nations, which haven’t been to Pakistan of late,” Bradburn stated throughout a media convention on the eve of his aspect’s match in opposition to Bangladesh.

Pakistan, which began the event with back-to-back wins in opposition to the Netherlands and Sri Lanka, misplaced all 4 subsequent video games, beginning with the fixture in opposition to India on the Narendra Modi Stadium. Bradburn, when requested whether or not the seven-wicket loss on October 14 dented his boys’ confidence, stated, “Definitely no. That performance in Ahmedabad was a huge experience, having never played at that venue. The unusual experience of playing in front of 1,30,000 supporters of the opposition was good for our boys.”

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Meanwhile, if skipper Shakib Al Hasan is to be believed, Bangladesh, which is presently ninth amongst 10 groups on the World Cup standings, has already began making ready the roadmap for the upcoming Champions Trophy. It not too long ago got here to mild that the highest seven sides on the finish of the league stage of the continuing CWC23 will make the minimize for Pakistan 2025, alongside the host. He stated, “We came to know about the qualification process ahead of the start of the World Cup. We have to win to be able to qualify for the Champions Trophy. It is an important target.”

Shakib appeared to have had higher days since he final addressed the press right here two evenings in the past after the soul-crushing 87-run defeat in opposition to the Dutch. “It will be very difficult to forget today’s game ahead of the next,” he had stated.

On the eve of the match in opposition to Babar Azam’s males, he even pulled a couple of journalists’ legs. “Sometimes, a little smile is all that is required,” he signed off. Come Tuesday, Bangladesh followers will hope Shakib wears the identical smile publish the much-anticipated conflict.