Gayle ... A disappointing month for the Windies' opening batsman. - reuters

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (CMC):

Chris Gayle's loss of form in the five-match one-day international series against Pakistan has seen him slip one place to number three in the latest International Cricket Council ODI batting rankings released yesterday.

The 27-year-old left-hander scored 57 runs from four innings as West Indies lost the series 3-1. The first ODI in Rawalpindi was abandoned because of rain.

Gayle had moved up the ODI rankings to number two following his explosive scoring in the ICC Champions Trophy, where he helped West Indies to the final of the tournament.

It has been a disappointing month for Gayle who last week lost his number one spot in the ODI all-rounders rankings to South African Shaun Pollock.

In contrast, Shivnarine Chander-paul has made a healthy leap up the batting rankings, jumping eight places to number 20.

Absent through injury for the first three matches of the ODI series, the experienced left-hander carved out a half-century and a century in the last two matches.

Pietersen moves up

While Australian Mike Hussey remains at number one, England's Kevin Pietersen has moved up to second in the rankings, replacing Gayle in that spot.

Pakistani captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has slipped three places to number 18 after failing any major scores against the West Indies in the ODI series.

Pakistan seamer Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, who terrorised West Indies to grab 11 wickets at an average of 11.81 in the recent ODI series, has moved up seven places in the ODI bowlers rankings to 12th spot.

West Indies left-arm medium pacer Ian Bradshaw has slipped one place to fourth while Pollock continues in the top spot.