SL beat Pakistan: Decoding the World Test Championship 2021-23 table
Sri Lanka hammered Pakistan by 246 runs in the series decider on Thursday in Galle. With that, the hosts drew the two-match series by 1-1. SL now enjoy a points percentage of 53.33 in the ICC World Test Championship 2021-23 table. They have gained three places to be ranked third in the standings. Meanwhile, Pakistan (51.85) have lost their grip and are seated fifth.
Sri Lanka rout Pakistan in the decider
SL compiled 378 after opting to bat first. Fifties from Oshada Fernando, Dinesh Chandimal, and Niroshan Dickwella got them to a solid-looking total. The visitors could amass 231, comprising a maiden Test fifty from Agha Salman (62). SL declared on 360, which involved a pivotal ton from Dhananjaya de Silva. Chasing 508, Pakistan fell apart post the dismissals of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.
ICC WTC Standings: SL climb to third spot; Pakistan falter
Sri Lanka have leapfrogged to the third position in the latest WTC standings. They now have 64 points, having clinched five wins, four losses, and a draw. Meanwhile, Pakistan have dropped to the fifth position. They have mustered 54 points, courtesy of four wins, three losses, and two draws. This was their fourth series in the ICC WTC 2021-23 cycle.
South Africa and Australia top the show
With a PCT of 71.43%, South Africa are placed top of the WTC 2021-23 standings. They have collected 60 points so far. The Proteas have played three Test series and have sealed five wins from seven matches (L2). Australia are seated next with a PCT of 70%. They have played 10 Test matches across three series (W6 L1 D3). They have gained 84 points.
India in the fray for the WTC final
India (52.08) are still the fourth-ranked side in the concurrent WTC cycle. They have six wins, four losses, and two draws. Up next, they will tour Bangladesh (two Tests) followed by a four-Test series at home against Australia.
Windies drop to the sixth spot
WI (50.00) are now the sixth-placed side on the WTC table. They have mustered four wins, three losses, and two draws. They will tour SA and Australia for two Tests each.
What about England?
England are seated seventh in the WTC standings. The Three Lions improved their points percentage from 28.89 to 33.33 post the Edgbaston Test versus India. They have five wins, seven losses, and four draws in the ongoing cycle. England will now host SA (three Tests) and then travel to Pakistan for three Tests scheduled in November-December.
New Zealand undergo a sorry run in WTC 2021-23 cycle
New Zealand, who were the inaugural WTC champions, have stooped to the eighth spot in the standings after the 3-0 whitewash against England. They have a points percentage of 25.93. The Kiwis have won two Tests, besides losing six and drawing one. They will tour Pakistan (two Tests) in December later this year and host Sri Lanka (two Tests) in March 2023.
Bangladesh languish at the bottom
Bangladesh saw a dip in their points percentage from 14.81 to 13.33 post the 2-0 defeat versus WI. They have one win, eight losses, and a draw across five series. They will be gearing up to host India for two Tests in November.
