Pakistan's hopes for WTC final take a blow with Rawalpindi loss; Bangladesh rises to sixth with historic Test victory

Following a disappointing loss to Bangladesh at their home ground, Pakistan has experienced a significant drop in the World Test Championship 2023-25 points table. Captain Shan Masood had expressed his desire to compete in the WTC final for this edition. However, their recent performance has made this goal seem like a distant and unlikely dream.

Pakistan are currently placed at the second-last spot - eighth on the points table with just two wins in 6 matches and winning percentage of just 30.56.

The Asian giants have suffered a massive downfall in red-ball cricket in recent times. The defeat on Sunday extended their barren run in red-ball cricket at home to five losses and four draws since it last beat South Africa at Rawalpindi in 2021. The change of guard also didn't work out for them, as Masood has lost all four Test matches as captain of the Pakistan team.

Bangladesh have moved up in the points table with the crucial win and are now placed at the sixth position. They have won two out of the five matches with a winning percentage of 40.00.

World Test Championship Points Table PositionTeamMatchesWonLostDrawnNRPointsPCT1India962107468.512Australia1283109062.53New Zealand6330036504England1476106941.075Sri Lanka5230024406Bangladesh5230024407South Africa623102838.898Pakistan624002230.569West Indies916202018.52

In another Test, England got the better of Sri Lanka by five wickets in the first Test to climb three positions from seventh to fourth in the World Test Championship points table. Lanka have now slipped to the fifth spot after the loss.

Also Read | Shan Masood ends silence on playing four pacers, declaration call amid criticism after Bangladesh script historic win

Joe Root hit an unbeaten 62 to anchor England to a five-wicket win over Sri Lanka late on Day 4 of the first test on Saturday.

Set 205 to win, England was faltering at 70-3 but Root and Harry Brook (32) steadied the innings before the former captain guided the team home to its target as shadows lengthened on a sun-baked evening at Old Trafford.

Meanwhile, India continue to top the points table with 6 wins in 9 matches at a superior winning percentage of 68.52. Defending champions Australia are just behind them with 8 wins in 12 matches and a PCT of 62.50. The two teams would be aiming to face each other once again, while the Border-Gavaskar Trophy later this year would be crucial for both sides.

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