ICC WTC Standings: England bowled out Pakistan at 328 and won the contest by 26 runs and the Series by 2-0 with the final test to be played in Karachi from December 17 to 21.
On the spinning wicket of Multan, it was Right-arm pacer Mark Wood who won the match for his side as he took four crucial wickets for his side in the second Innings.
Multan’s turning wicket was like a treat for debutant leg spinner Abrar Ahmed who bamboozled English batsmen throughout the match and took 11 wickets in the match, with 7 in the first inning and 4 in the second.
But it was batsmen who couldn’t deliver and saw their side moving down to the sixth position at World Test Championship standings after a second loss in the series.
After this series loss, they’re almost out of the qualification race to the WTC Final as they sit sixth and after the third test against England, have only two Test matches (at home against New Zealand) to play before the WTC Final in June next year.
It’s worth mentioning that Three Lions won a Test series on Pakistani soil after 22 years, it has produced fruits already as they have moved higher to the fifth position at the World Test Championship standings.
ICC WTC Standings – England Moves to Fifth, Pakistan Goes Down to Sixth, After Multan Test:
Due to their several matches scheduled before the WTC final in June, they have strong chances of playing the final on their soil and as things are going, winning as well.
On the other hand, Australia has made their position stronger after clean sweeping West Indies at home by 2-0.
South Africa currently occupies the second spot and the result of their upcoming series against Australia will very clearly the situation about the finalists of the World Test Championship in June 2023.
However, proteas have 2-Test match series against West Indies in March next year.
Moreover, behind South Africa, Sri Lanka is in the third position due to their recent good records against Tests in Australia and Pakistan at home series and are looking forward to playing the World Test Championship final.
But their chances aren’t very bright due to less remaining matches as they have just 2 away Test match series to play against New Zealand in March next year.
Behind third-ranked Sri Lanka, India occupies the fourth place, has a good chance to gain some points in this crucial 2-match away Test series against Bangladesh. In the context of World Test Championship Final qualification.
As they have to face WTC standings leader Australia at home next month. That’s why India will go all in to produce a 2-0 result will very much improve the chances of them making it to the World Test Championship Final for the second straight season.
ICC WTC (World Test Championship)
The ICC World Test Championship is a league competition for Test cricket run by the International Cricket Council (ICC), which started on 1 August 2019. It is intended to be the premier championship for Test cricket. It is in line with the ICC’s goal of having one pinnacle tournament for each of the three formats of international cricket.
The original plans to hold the competition in 2009, replacing the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, were abandoned. It was rescheduled for June 2017, with a second Test championship to take place in India in Feb-March 2021. The top four ranked teams on 31 December 2016 – the cut-off date set by the ICC – would play the three-match Test championship.
There would have been two semi-finals and the winners play the final. However, in January 2014 the ICC World Test Championship was canceled and the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy was reinstated.
