LAHORE: The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee Najam Sethi on Saturday, congratulated the entire nation after the national men’s team topped the ODI rankings for the first time ever.

Babar Azam-led side were fifth in the rankings with 106 rating points – seven behind the then leader Australia – at the commencement of the series but the green shirts put on a dominant show in the first four ODIs to jump four places.

A thumping 102-run victory in the fourth ODI lifted the national team to 113.483 rating points and leapfrogged Australia to get a hold on to the spot in the ODI rankings for the first time.

Pakistan’s previous best ODI ranking was third, which they achieved in January 2007.

Meanwhile, on a historic day for Pakistan cricket, the PCB management committee chairman Najam Sethi congratulated the entire nation and credited captain Babar Azam and the coaching staff for the achievement.

“I congratulate the entire nation on becoming the world number one in the ODIs of Pakistan Cricket Team,” stated Sethi.

“Captain Babar Azam, the entire team and the coaching staff deserve congratulations on this momentous occasion. I am proud of this team and wish them all the best,” he added.

The PCB head then went on to express his hope that the national team’s training will be fruitful for them in the upcoming Asia Cup and ODI World Cup.

It is worth mentioning here that Pakistan need to complete a clean sweep over hapless New Zealand in a bid to retain their top spot. A loss, however, would see them slipping back to the third position.