West Indies cricketers celebrate their victory in the ICC Twenty20 Cricket World Cup’s final match against Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo on October 7, 2012
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (CMC) – West Indies will enter the Twenty20 World Cup in India second in the ICC rankings, with the hosts installed as the top-ranked side heading into the global event which started yesterday and runs until April 3.
In the latest rankings released, India topped the table with 127 points, nine clear of West Indies in second. South Africa lie third, also on 118 points while New Zealand are fourth with 116 points.
England are fifth on 112 points with Australia sixth on 111 points.
Pakistan, who won the 2009 tournament staged in England, are seventh on 110 points, while reigning champions Sri Lanka languish one point behind in eighth.
India’s place at the top was assured when they beat Bangladesh in the final of the Asia Cup in Mirpur on Sunday.
The ongoing three-match series between South Africa and Australia is currently tied at 1-1, but the decisive third game tomorrow in Johannesburg will have no impact on India’s ranking.
West Indies briefly led the T20 rankings in mid-January without lifting a hand after Sri Lanka lost their series 2-0 to New Zealand.
The Caribbean side can make huge strides in the rankings, depending on their performance in the upcoming World Cup.
Installed in Group 1, they open their preliminary campaign against England on March 16 in Mumbai, clash with Sri Lanka four days later in Bangalore before taking on South Africa on March 25 in Nagpur.
The 2012 champions close out against a yet-to-be determined qualifier from Group B comprising Scotland, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan and Hong Kong.