Have Pakistan done enough to qualify for the 2019 World Cup?

By virtue of their 2-1 series win over West Indies, Pakistan have more or less sealed their place in the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup. Post the 2015 World Cup; the ICC pruned the competing teams to 10 instead of the usual 14. Apart from the hosts England, 7 top teams in the ICC ODI rankings will be granted qualification for the global tournament.

Pakistan were struggling to keep themselves amongst the top 8 ranked teams but this win has improved their rating points and they are now 7 points ahead of the 9^th ranked team West Indies. Bangladesh, who are ranked 7^th, are just two points ahead of Pakistan.

The cut-off date for the World Cup qualification is set at September 30, 2017. Pakistan are scheduled to play at least 6 ODIs before this date – three at least in Champions Trophy and 3 against Bangladesh. West Indies play 10 ODIs before the cut-off date and this puts their direct qualification under a cloud as 5 off those games are against England and the rest against a strong Indian side in their own den.

Pakistan, who played the quarter finals of the 2015 World Cup, needs to put their head down and not worry about the qualification. They are in the frame for a qualification already if no upset happens in the remainder of their 6 ODIs before the cut-off date.

If they stutter, they still will get another chance of qualifying by virtue of playing the World Cup Qualifier in Bangladesh in the year 2018. 8 Teams will participate in this tournament and the finalists will seal the remaining 2 spots of the World Cup.

With the state of ODI cricket of Pakistan, it looks unlikely that they will end up playing the Qualifying tournament as they will qualify by holding on to their 8^th spot in the ICC ODI rankings.