Pakistan’s WTC Final Hopes Fade with Rawalpindi Loss, Bangladesh Climbs to Sixth with Historic Test Win
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Following a crushing home loss to Bangladesh, Pakistan has fallen in the World Test Championship 2023–25 points standings. Before the series began, Pakistan captain Shan Masood expressed his desire to participate in the WTC final this time around. However, given their current performance, it appears to be a distant goal.
Pakistan, with just two victories in six games and a meager 30.56 winning %, is now ranked ninth on the points table, in second-last position.
In recent decades, the Asian powerhouses in red-ball cricket have seen a severe decline. Their losing streak in red-ball cricket at home, which began in 2021 when they last defeated South Africa at Rawalpindi, was extended to five losses and four draws with the setback on Sunday. They also failed with the change of guard, since Masood has lost all four of Pakistan’s Test matches in charge of the squad.
READ MORE: Shadman Falls Short of Century as Bangladesh Closes In on Pakistan’s Lead
With the important victory, Bangladesh has climbed up to sixth place in the points standings. They have a 40.00 winning percentage after winning two of the five games.
World Test Championship Points Table Pakistan moved down to 8
| Position | Team | Matches | Won | Lost | Drawn | NR | Points | PCT |
| 1 | India | 9 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 74 | 68.51 |
| 2 | Australia | 12 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 90 | 62.5 |
| 3 | New Zealand | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 50 |
| 4 | England | 14 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 69 | 41.07 |
| 5 | Sri Lanka | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 40 |
| 6 | Bangladesh | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 40 |
| 7 | South Africa | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 28 | 38.89 |
| 8 | Pakistan | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 30.56 |
| 9 | West Indies | 9 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 20 | 18.52 |
England moved up three spots, from seventh to fourth in the World Test Championship points standings, after defeating Sri Lanka by five wickets in the opening Test. After the defeat, Lanka have now dropped to fifth place.
Late on Day 4 of the first test, England defeated Sri Lanka by five wickets thanks to an unbeaten 62 from Joe Root.
England was down at 70-3 with 205 to win, but Root and Harry Brook (32) steadied the innings, and as the sun set on another glorious evening at Old Trafford, the former captain led his side home to victory.
India, meanwhile, has won six of their last nine games, for a better winning % of 68.52, and they are still atop the points table. Australia, the reigning champs, are not far behind them with a PCT of 62.50 and 8 victories in 12 games. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy later this year would be significant for both teams, as they would be seeking to play each other again.
