ICC World Test Championship 2023-25: How can table-toppers Pakistan qualify for WTC Final 2025

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Pakistan have failed to qualify for any of the two World Test Championship (WTC) finals till date. In the inaugural WTC 2019-21 cycle, Pakistan finished fifth with four wins in 12 matches. The WTC 2021-23 season, they finished seventh after winning four of their 14 Test matches.

The Babar Azam-led side kicked off their WTC 2023-25 campaign on a positive note by thrashing Sri Lanka 2-0 in their first away series of the cycle. The visitors defeated Sri Lanka by four wickets in the first match in Galle before thrashing them by an innings and 222 runs in the second innings.

Saud Shakeel smashed a double hundred in the first innings of the first Test. Opener Abdullah Shafique took charge in the second match with 201 off 326 in the first innings. Left-arm spinner Noman Ali's 7/70 in the second innings and Naseem Shah's superb reverse swing bowling display were the highlight of the tour for Pakistan.

The cracking series win will help them in their next Test series against Australia which starts with the first Test in Perth from December 14. The side will play two more matches. The Boxing Day Test will start from December 26 at the MCG in Melbourne, while the third and final Test will begin in Sydney from January 3.

Following are the remaining four Test series Pakistan will play in the WTC 2023-25 cycle.

West Indies tour of Pakistan 2024

Two Test matches are likely in February-March 2024.

Bangladesh tour of Pakistan 2024

A 2-Test series likely in the second-half of 2024.

England tour of Pakistan 2024

A 3-match Test series will be held in Pakistan in October 2024.

Pakistan tour of South Africa 2024-25

A 2-Test series from December 2024 to January 2025.

Having won one away series against Sri Lanka, Pakistan will have a high chance of qualifying for the WTC final 2025 if they fare well in Australia and South Africa. However, Pakistan also will have to be wary of England in their home conditions. Ben Stokes's side would come fully prepared to unleash their Bazaball approach at the hosts.

ICC Test Championship 2023-25 Points Table

The cycle has just started. Pakistan and India have won their series against Sri Lanka and West Indies respectively. Australia have taken a 2-1 lead in the Ashes 2023.

1. Pakistan: PCT of 100 after winning two out of their two matches against Sri Lanka

2. India: PCT of 66.67 after winning one match and playing a draw.

3. Australia: PCT of 54.17 after winning two of their four matches so far

4. England: PCT of 29.17 after winning just one of their four matches

5. West Indies: PCT of 16.67 after losing a match and playing a draw against India

6. Sri Lanka: PCT of 0 after losing both their matches