Shan Masood, Pakistan’s cricket team’s Test captain, believes that his team still has a shot to make the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) Final. Ranked 6th in the race, right now Masood’s team has nine matches left to change their fate. But this isn’t the first time Pakistan have found themselves here. Despite having a good chance to end in the top two, they finished 6th in the 2019-2021 cycle and 7th 2021-2023 cycle.
Pakistan’s WTC Final chances
So, what can change now? For starters, Pakistan are playing seven of their nine Tests at home. Out of these seven home Tests, four are against sides who are ranked below them: Bangladesh and the West Indies. The remaining three are against England, who beat them 3-0 last time at home. But England won’t have a surprise element this time. It was that last tour of Pakistan where they showcased ‘Bazball’ properly for the first time, and Shan Masood and co. will be ready this time. Ben Stokes and Zak Crawley may not be available either, which would ease things up as well.
However, their away series against South Africa poses a serious threat. They have lost the last two series 3-0 in South Africa, and things might turn out the same way again. So, if they wish to end in the top two, they’ll need to make the most of their home matches and end with at least 5 wins to have a good chance to be there at Lord’s in June 2025.
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Top competitors
But every team in the top seven still has a chance to reach the WTC Final 2025. But India and Australia are the top contenders to get there. India have to play 5 of their remaining 10 Tests at home. They are already on top, and given how dominant they are at home, they might make a third consecutive final even if they lose to Australia in the Border Gavaskar Trophy.
The second favourite, Australia, have 7 matches left. But they are in slightly more trouble. They’ve lost the last two series at home to India, and even if they sneak out a win, they’ll still need to beat Sri Lanka away from home, which they haven’t done since 2011. South Africa might have the most favourable draw. They play Bangladesh and Pakistan at home, and given how spicy their wickets have been lately, no one will be shocked to see them win those tests and end up in the top two.
New Zealand and England are intertwined. Both play each other, and depending on how that 3-match series goes, we might see who’s still in contention. The Kiwis also have six matches to play in India and Sri Lanka, which won’t be easy at all. England are 7th and even if they win all of their remaining games, it isn’t looking that great.
Each teams matches remaining until WTC Final 2025
- India – 10
- England and Pakistan – 9
- New Zealand – 8
- Australia and Sri Lanka – 7
- Bangladesh – 5
- South Africa and West Indies – 4
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