Between the upcoming three-match ODI series Bangladesh and Pakistan Dhaka is more than a two-way contest. For Bangladesh, it marks the beginning of an important journey to secure direct qualification for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. While Pakistan may view the series as part of a rebuilding process, the stakes are much higher for the hosts as they look to improve their position in the ICC ODI rankings ahead of the qualifying period.
For Bangladesh, every match in this series could have a direct bearing on whether they automatically qualify for the tournament or face the uncertainty of the qualifiers.
Understanding the road to the 2027 Cricket World Cup
14 teams will participate in the 2027 Cricket World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. The qualification process is largely determined by the ICC ODI team rankings.
Under the current system, the top eight ranked team in the ICC ODI rankings as on March 31, 2027 will automatically qualify for the tournament. However, the situation becomes somewhat complicated as two of the host nations – South Africa and Zimbabwe – are full members of the ICC and are guaranteed direct entry to the competition.
This creates an important scenario. If Zimbabwe do not finish in the top eight of the rankings by the deadline, their automatic host qualification will free up an additional spot for the next highest ranked team.
Teams that do not qualify directly will have to compete in a global qualification tournament, where only four additional places will be available for the World Cup.
The current rankings highlight just how intense the battle for those automatic qualification spots is. As of early March 2026, the situation around the crucial qualification zone looks like this:
| Rank | Team | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | South Africa | 99 |
| 7 | Afghanistan | 95 |
| 8 | England | 88 |
| 9 | West India | 80 |
| 10 | Bangladesh | 77 |
| 11 | Zimbabwe | 54 |
These rankings show that the battle for the final automatic qualification spots is very tight.
Bangladesh urgently need to climb the ICC Team Rankings
The ODI series against Pakistan comes at a critical time for Bangladesh. Currently ranked 10th, Bangladesh are just behind West Indies and out of the automatic qualification bracket.
Their position becomes even more precarious when the host’s qualification factor is taken into account. As Zimbabwe will automatically qualify as co-hosts if they finish outside the top eight, Bangladesh effectively need to climb to at least ninth place to stay on course for direct entry to the World Cup.
This makes every ODI in the upcoming series extremely important.
If Bangladesh fail to advance to the automatic qualification positions, they will have to compete in a qualifying tournament. This path is known to be unpredictable and difficult. In fact, the West Indies failed to qualify for the 2023 World Cup after stumbling in the qualifiers, underscoring just how risky that route can be. Avoiding this situation is a top priority for Bangladesh.
The series also marks Bangladesh’s return to ODI cricket after a four-month hiatus. During this time, the team reflects the latest struggles in the format. They have lost four of their last five ODI series, which has helped them slide down the rankings.
Bangladesh will also use this series to overcome key weaknesses in the ODI game. One area of ​​focus is strengthening the middle-order batting, which has struggled to convert starts into big results. Another priority is to improve wicketkeeping during the middle innings, at a stage when Bangladesh often struggle to control the opposition’s batting.
To bolster their batting depth, the selectors called back Lytton Das and Afif Huseyn to the staff. Litto, in particular, is expected to play an important role against Pakistan’s spin attack, especially in familiar home conditions.
Pakistan’s goal from the ODI series against Bangladesh
The stakes are slightly different for Pakistan. Currently ranked fourth in the ICC ODI rankings, they sit comfortably in the automatic qualification zone with 100 ranking points. Even a disappointing result in this series will not threaten their World Cup qualification prospects.
However, the series still holds significance for Pakistan as they look to rebuild and test after a disappointing T20 World Cup 2026 campaign.
With several changes in the squad, the team enters a period of transition. Star pastry Babar Azam is left out due to the final form, while Mohammad Rizvan returns to the side. He will also lead Pakistan Shaheen Afridiis expected to lead the team during this transition phase.
Also READ: Mike Hesson explains Babar Azam’s omission from the Pakistan ODI squad for the tour of Bangladesh
