In a remarkable display of cricket prowess, Pakistan has claimed the leading position in the ICC World Test Championship standings after a resounding victory against Sri Lanka in the Galle Test last week. The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed this exciting news on Monday, with their arch-rivals India following closely at the number two spot.
The ICC World Test Championship is a prestigious two-year competition that culminates in the crowning of an undisputed World Test champion at the end of a league campaign and a thrilling showpiece decider. The format of the championship involves each participating team engaging in three home and three away series, leading up to the determination of the qualifiers for the much-awaited WTC Final.
The green shirts, led by skipper Babar Azam, displayed an extraordinary performance in their recent triumph over Sri Lanka at the Galle grounds. A standout performance from batter Saud Shakeel, who scored a remarkable double century, contributed significantly to Pakistan’s success. The team further dominated the second Test at Colombo, bowling out Sri Lanka for a mere 166 runs, thanks to outstanding performances from spinner Abrar Ahmed and Naseem Shah, who jointly secured seven wickets.
Meanwhile, India faced a draw against the West Indies as rain played spoilsport on Day 5 of the second Test match in the Caribbean. This fortunate turn of events allowed Pakistan to take the lead on points and secure the top spot in the ICC World Test Championship rankings.
With India firmly holding the second position in the standings, other prominent teams such as Australia, England, and the West Indies occupy the third, fourth, and fifth spots, respectively, among the teams already featured in the 2023-2025 World Test Championship cycle.
In the second Test against Sri Lanka, Pakistan demonstrated their strength, ending Day 1 at an impressive 145/2, trailing only 21 runs behind the opposition. Abdullah Shafique showcased his skill and remained not out on 74, while Azam, the team’s captain, displayed his mettle with an unbeaten score of 8.
With the World Test Championship heating up, cricket enthusiasts around the globe eagerly await the next thrilling matches that will determine the final contenders for the coveted WTC Final. Pakistan’s remarkable performance has raised the stakes, making it an exciting journey to the summit of Test cricket.
