Bangladesh are ranked seventh in the ICC ODI rankings after the second match of the BAN vs AFG ODI series 2022. The hosts have been dominating the ongoing bilateral limited-overs series with Afghanistan, and they are strong favorites to win the third match. If Bangladesh can whitewash Afghanistan in the three-match ODI series, they would boost their ODI rankings even further. Let's look at how Bangladesh could enhance its current ICC One-Day International rankings.  

ICC Ranking Scenario for Bangladesh at the end of BAN vs AFG ODI Series 2022

According to the most recent update on February 26, Bangladesh remain in seventh place in the ICC One-Day International rankings, just behind Pakistan. Though both Bangladesh and Pakistan have the same 93 rating points. Pakistan earned those rating points by playing fewer matches than Bangladesh, which is why they are still ranked sixth.

Read IND vs SL T20I Series 2022: India aspire clean sweep against Sri Lanka

Pakistan achieved those points by playing 27 games, whilst Bangladesh had to play 32 games to get 93 rating points. However, Bangladesh would leapfrog Pakistan and move up to sixth place in the standings if they defeat Afghanistan in the third match of the ongoing limited-overs series on Monday (February 28). 

If Bangladesh sweep Afghanistan in the ODI series, they will receive 94 rating points. As a result, they will move up one spot in their current ICC rankings. On the other hand, Pakistan will drop to the seventh position. Bangladesh will remain in sixth place at the end of March if they win at least one match against South Africa in the upcoming ODI series and Australia whitewash Pakistan in their away ODI series. 

Read BAN vs AFG Series 2022: Bangladesh Eye Clean Sweep against Afghanistan in Final ODI

However, Bangladesh will drop two rating points if they lose tomorrow's encounter against Afghanistan. In this scenario, Bangladesh will remain in seventh place with 91 rating points.

Ranking predictions for top cricket nations at the end of February 2022

There are no more ODI matches for the major cricket nations in February, with the exception of the third ODI match between Bangladesh and Afghanistan on Monday. Therefore, New Zealand will remain the top-ranked One-Day International side at the end of February 2022.

Read ICC WC Super League Points Table: Bangladesh Dethrone England after Series Win over Afghanistan

New Zealand lead the ICC One-Day International rankings with 121 rating points. The defending World Cup champions, England are in second place with 119 rating points, followed by their arch-rival Australia, Asian powerhouse India, and African heavyweights South Africa. Pakistan are ranked sixth and Bangladesh are in the seventh position, respectively.

Apart from them, 1996 World Cup Champions Sri Lanka are ranked eighth, two-time World Cup Champions West Indies are in the ninth position, and Afghanistan are placed tenth in the current ICC ODI rankings.  

Read BAN vs AFG ODI Series 2022: Five Unique Records Broken in the First Match

ICC ODI Team Rankings (as of February 26, 2022) 

  Source: https://www.icc-cricket.com/rankings/mens/team-rankings/odi

Bottom Line  

Bangladesh's primary objective is to whitewash Afghanistan's limited-overs team in the third match in the ongoing BAN vs AFG ODI series 2022. Bangladesh's ICC One-Day International rankings and World Cup Super League points would both improve if they win the series 3-0. Therefore, the final match of the series is essential for Bangladesh national men's cricket team. In that perspective, the Tamim Iqbal-led team will be even more driven to win tomorrow's (February 28) encounter against the visiting Afghan side at ZACS, Chattogram. The game will begin at 11 a.m. (Bangladesh Standard Time).

Read BAN vs AFG 2022: Attainable Milestones for Bangladesh Players in the Afghanistan Series