Pakistan skipper Azhar Ali demands improved show post ODI slump

Expressing concerns over his country's perpetual decline in the one-day international rankings, Pakistan captain Azhar Ali has called on his side to lift their performance against top teams in order to improve their position.

Pakistan have plummeted to ninth in the latest ODI rankings and could face a qualifying round for the 2019 World Cup for the first time ever if they fail to arrest the slide and break into the top eight by next year.

Describing the current situation as 'worrying', Ali stated that his side are determined to beat 'challenging' top teams in order to climb up in the rankings, Sport24 reported.

The 31-year-old also expressed that a new coach and the recently appointed chief selector -- former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq -- would sit down to plan a strategy.

Pakistan have been looking for a new head coach after Waqar Younis stepped down from the role following a dismal World Twenty20 campaign in India last month.

Pakistan will play a five-match ODI series against England in August before taking on West Indies and Australia later.