Bangladesh Surges in World Test Championship

Bangladesh is currently enjoying their most successful run in the World Test Championship (WTC), winning their third Test match in this cycle. In contrast, they had only managed a single win across 19 games in the first two editions combined. Starting this series just above West Indies at the bottom of the standings, Bangladesh has now climbed to fourth place, narrowly ahead of England. Meanwhile, Pakistan's form has dipped dramatically, with five consecutive Test losses pushing them down to eighth position, halfway through their WTC cycle.

Bangladesh’s upcoming schedule includes a challenging tour of India, followed by matches in the Caribbean, and a home series against South Africa. Each tour consists of two Test matches. Pakistan faces a difficult road ahead, with a two-Test series in South Africa, where they’ve lost their last seven Tests, sandwiched between a home series against England in October and West Indies in January.

India secured their place in the WTC final in the second cycle with a percentage points (PCT) score of 58.2%, just behind Australia. Assuming this remains the qualifying threshold for this edition, Bangladesh would need an additional 52 points from their last six matches. To achieve this, they must win four games and draw one.

Pakistan’s fifth consecutive defeat has nearly ended their chances of reaching the WTC final. To reach a PCT of 58.2%, Pakistan would need 84 points, meaning they must win all seven of their remaining Test matches.

Neither Bangladesh nor Pakistan will face Australia or New Zealand, who currently occupy second and third places in the standings. Both teams will be hoping for slip-ups from the trans-Tasman rivals to improve their own chances of advancing.