DUBAI – New Zealand have returned to the top of the MRF Tyres ICC T20I TeamRankings after winning the three-match series against the Windies by 2-0,the International Cricket Council reported in a press release on Wednesday.

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

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

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

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

New Zealand will now put their number-one ranking on the line when theywill take on Pakistan in the three-match series to be played on 22, 25 and28 January. To retain the top spot, the

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

ICC T20I Team Rankings (as on 3 January, after New Zealand v Windiesseries):

Rank Team Points

1. New Zealand 126 (+6)2. Pakistan 1243. India 1214. England 1195. Windies 115 (-5)6. South Africa 1127. Australia 1118. Sri Lanka 889. Afghanistan 8610. Bangladesh 7611. Scotland 6712. Zimbabwe 6513. UAE 5214. Netherlands 4915. Hong Kong 4616. PNG 3917. Oman 3818. Ireland 36