Pakistan Drops to Eighth Place as India and Australia Top World Test Championship Standings

ICC World Test :

Pakistan’s ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final aspirations have suffered a severe blow following an unexpected defeat to Bangladesh in the first Test of their two-match series held in Rawalpindi. This defeat has put a significant dent in Pakistan’s hopes of advancing to the WTC finals, highlighting the challenges they face in the ongoing tournament.

In a surprising turn of events, Bangladesh showcased a remarkable performance by easily chasing down a modest target of 30 runs without losing a wicket, taking a 1-0 lead in the series. This win not only marks a historic achievement for Bangladesh, as it is their first-ever Test victory against Pakistan, but it also raises serious concerns for Pakistan’s position in the WTC standings.

Historically, Pakistan has had a dominant record against Bangladesh in Test cricket, having won 12 out of their 14 encounters. The only other match between the two teams ended in a draw. However, this recent loss underscores a shift in dynamics and has far-reaching implications for Pakistan’s standings and their chances of making it to the WTC finals.

In the latest WTC standings, Pakistan’s position has become precarious. India currently leads the table with 74 points from 9 matches, showcasing a strong performance with 6 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw, resulting in a points percentage (PCT) of 68.51%. Australia follows in second place with 90 points from 12 matches, having won 8, lost 3, and drawn 1, which gives them a PCT of 62.5%.

New Zealand holds third place with 36 points from 6 matches, recording 3 wins and 3 losses, with a PCT of 50.0%. England is positioned fourth with 69 points from 14 matches, achieving 7 wins, 6 losses, and 1 draw, leading to a PCT of 41.07%. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are tied for fifth place, each with 24 points from 5 matches, having won 2 and lost 3, reflecting a PCT of 40.0%.

South Africa is in seventh place with 28 points from 6 matches, with a record of 2 wins, 3 losses, and 1 draw, resulting in a PCT of 38.89%. Pakistan has unfortunately dropped to eighth place, accumulating 22 points from 6 matches, with 2 wins and 4 losses, leading to a PCT of 30.56%. At the bottom of the table, the West Indies have only 20 points from 9 matches, with 1 win and 6 losses, and a PCT of 18.52%.

Pakistan’s prospects for reaching the WTC final are now in serious jeopardy. The upcoming second Test against Bangladesh, scheduled from August 30 to September 3 at the same venue, is crucial for Babar Azam’s team. A victory in this match is essential if Pakistan hopes to salvage their WTC campaign and avoid further setbacks in their quest for a place in the final.

The team’s performance in this decisive Test will be pivotal in determining their fate in the championship. As they prepare for this critical encounter, the pressure is on Pakistan to deliver a strong performance and secure a much-needed win to keep their World Test Championship ambitions alive.