Bangladesh's Landmark Series Win Shakes Up the Race to World Test Series Final

Bangladesh are amidst their best run in the three iterations of the World Test Series. They now have won the test in this cycle only managed to win one across 19 matches in the first two editions combined. They commenced the series just a rung above bottom-placed West Indies, but have climbed up to the fourth place, a few decimal points ahead of the Three Lions. The Shaheens, on the other hand, have now lost five test matches on the trot and have taken Bangladesh’s place at eighth with half of their cycle completed. 

WTC points table (as of September 3, 2024)

Bangladesh tour to India followed by the tour to West Indies before hosting the Proteas to conclude their cycle (all three assignments comprise two tests each). Pakistan has a tour to South Africa (two tests) in December-January, where they are currently on a seven-Test winless streak, wedged between home series against England in October (three tests) and West Indies following January (two Tests). 

India qualified for the World Test Series final cycle 2 from second place behind Australia with percentage points of 58.2%. Presuming that as the threshold for this edition too, Bangladesh would require another 52 points from their remaining test matches (6). Four Wins and a draw can help them attain that. 

The fifth successive defeat means Pakistan’s qualification chances have practically ended. For Pakistan's PCT to get to 58.2%, they would require 84 points and for that, they will need to secure victory in all of their remaining seven Test matches. 

Neither Bangladesh nor Pakistan play New Zealand or Australia who are currently positioned at second and third place in the points table and both would preferably want one of the trans-Tasman sides to drop points.