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Proteas have much at stake

Dubai - Both South Africa and Sri Lanka have the chance to go ahead of second-ranked India in the Reliance Mobile ICC ODI championship when the Proteas face Pakistan in the remaining three ODIs in Dubai, and Sri Lanka go head to head with top-ranked Australia in Melbourne later this week.

Sri Lanka and South Africa are currently locked on 115 ratings points - two behind India. But all this can change depending how their respective series pan out.

If Sri Lanka win their three-match series against Australia, they will be guaranteed second place in the championship table while South Africa can only move ahead of India if they win all their remaining three ODIs.

A 3-0 win for Sri Lanka will put them on 121 ratings points - four behind Australia, who will drop to 125 ratings points - while a 2-1 success for Kumar Sangakkara's side will take them to 118 ratings points.

On the other side of the coin, Sri Lanka will drop behind England on 112 ratings points if Ricky Ponting's side make a clean sweep of the series while both the sides will retain their pre-series rankings and ratings if Australia win the series 2-1.

The challenge for South Africa is tougher, particularly after a rejuvenated Pakistan's sensational one-wicket victory in the second ODI in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

The Proteas now need to win the remaining three matches which will lift them to 119 ratings points.

In sharp contrast, South Africa's failure to win the series or the remaining matches of the series will have dire consequences on their standing on the ODI table.

If Pakistan win the series by 3-2, South Africa will drop below England on 111 ratings points while Graeme Smith's side will fall as low as sixth if Shahid Afridi's men win all the three matches which will be played at Dubai International Stadium in Dubai Sports City.

Pakistan's success in the remaining three ODIs will mean both sides will be equal on 107 ratings points but the home sides will be placed higher when the ratings are calculated beyond the decimal point.

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