Teams scramble to avoid relegation in Champions Trophy

The three-match ODI series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka starting on Friday becomes crucial as both teams look to avoid relegation to the preliminary round of the forthcoming Champions Trophy. Countries have until April 1 to improve their rankings and make it to the group stage.

According to the new format, eight teams will be divided into two groups of four each which include the top six in the ICC ODI Championship table as of April 1 2006, plus the top two from the preliminary round. This round comprises a four-team round robin play-off for the sides ranked seven to10 in the ICC rankings.

Sri Lanka are under greater pressure to qualify for the group stage - their fate hinges not only on their performance in the three-match series against Pakistan but also on the results of the India-England ODIs starting March 28. India and England are scheduled to play two ODIs before the April 1 cut-off date.

Sri Lanka are currently ranked at seven in the latest rankings with 107 points, just behind England (108). A 2-1 win for Sri Lanka will mean that they can topple England and claim that sixth spot, but can slip back to No.7, should England win one of their two games against India.

If Sri Lanka sweep the series 3-0, they will immediately move to No.6, but Pakistan face the danger of being relegated to No.7, should England win one of their games. If Pakistan win 2-1, Sri Lanka will slip to 106 points but will need to rely on India winning both their games to jump to the sixth spot.

A fourth - and worst-case scenario - is if Pakistan sweep all three games, which would mean that Sri Lanka would have no option but to deal with the preliminary round, irrespective of the results of India's matches against England.

Both Pakistan and Sri Lanka have shown a bit of inconsistency with their ODI form. Pakistan, after beating England in the ODI series at home late last year, suffered a reversal, losing the ODI series to India 1-4, which included four straight defeats. Sri Lanka rebounded after disappointing performances in India and New Zealand by reaching the best-of-three VB Series finals in Australia, eventually going down 1-2. A shock defeat in the second ODI against Bangladesh followed, although they took the series 2-1.

Kenya, currently in Bangladesh for a four-match ODI series starting March 17, are yet to play the minimum number of games to qualify for the rankings. The exact number will be determined at the ICC Executive Board meeting in Dubai next week.

For the full list of rankings click here.