*KARACHI : *Fifth-placed Pakistan need to either whitewash Zimbabwe or winby a minimum 4-1 margin in the five-match ODI series to maintain theircurrent International Cricket Council (ICC) ranking for ODI teams.

Pakistan take on Zimbabwe in a five-match series from July 15 in Bulawayoand will have to defeat their opponents by a considerable margin if theyare to remain ahead of sixth-placed Australia.

The Men in Green currently sit on 102 points on fifth place with Australiaone place behind them with 100 points.

Meanwhile, in the top of the table battle, India have a chance to overtakeEngland for the top spot with the two teams expected to play each other ina three-match ODI series starting from July 12.

If India are able to defeat the Three Lions 3-0, they will be ranked thenumber one ODI team in the world, while if England are able to defeat Indiaby the same margin, they will take a 10-point lead in the rankings table.

*ICC ODI TEAM RANKINGS*

*Rank Team Points*

1 England 126

2 India 122

3 South Africa 113

4 New Zealand 112

5 Pakistan 102

6 Australia 100

7 Bangladesh 93

8 Sri Lanka 77

9 Windies 69

10 Afghanistan 63

11 Zimbabwe 55

12 Ireland 38

13 Scotland 28

14 UAE 18