Pakistan’s chances of making it to the World Test Championship (WTC) final in 2025 are now in question as they gear up to face Bangladesh in a two-match series. The team is determined to finish strong in the current WTC cycle.
Their home Test campaign will resume on August 21, 2024, against Bangladesh with Shan Masood leading the team. After a tough 0-3 loss to Australia, Masood has set clear objectives for the team, emphasizing the importance of winning all home matches to improve their WTC standing.
“We need to win our home Test matches, take 20 wickets consistently, and ensure our batters score enough to support the bowlers,” Masood emphasized.
Let’s analyze Pakistan’s prospects and their chances of reaching the WTC final.
Where does Pakistan stand in the WTC points table?
Currently, Pakistan holds the sixth position in the WTC 2023/25 cycle with a points percentage of 36.66%. They have secured victory in two out of five matches so far.
More: WTC 2025 final: Qualification scenarios, points, and wins required for all teams to reach World Test Championship final
What are Pakistan’s upcoming matches?
Pakistan’s remaining fixtures will play a crucial role in their final aspirations:
- Against Bangladesh (2 matches) – Home
- Against England (3 matches) – Home
- Against South Africa (2 matches) – Away
- Against West Indies (2 matches) – Home
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In order to secure a spot in the final, Pakistan would need to win all nine remaining Tests, achieving a percentage of 77.38%. This will be a challenging task considering their tough schedule.
Can Pakistan make it to the WTC final?
Winning all their remaining matches is the only way for Pakistan to ensure a place in the final. However, this scenario appears unlikely given their past performances against South Africa and England.
More: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium pitch report: Average scores, most runs, highest wicket-takers for Pakistan vs Bangladesh 1st Test
Their chances could improve if they manage to sweep Bangladesh and West Indies, but they will also need favorable outcomes from other teams.
Is an India vs Pakistan WTC final possible?
For an India vs Pakistan final to materialize, several factors must align. India, currently leading the WTC table, would need to maintain their dominance at home and potentially achieve a clean sweep in their upcoming series. Pakistan would need India to secure a historic 5-0 victory in Australia and must surpass South Africa, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand for the second spot.