The rivalry between India and Pakistan is one of the most intense in cricket, due to the political and cultural relationship between the two countries. They could potentially face each other in the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) final. Although it remains theoretically possible, recent outcomes of Pakistan’s Test match have made it increasingly unlikely.
India remains a strong contender for a spot in the final. Meanwhile, Pakistan now faces a more daunting path to make it to the final after a defeat in the first Test against Bangladesh on Sunday, August 25. Bangladesh outclassed Pakistan by 10 wickets on Day 5 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, marking their first Test win against them. The win also helped them to climb to sixth place in the points table, with two wins from five matches and a winning percentage of 40.00.
Pakistan are currently standing in eighth place on the WTC 2023-25 points table. In six matches, they have secured only two wins, with a winning percentage of 30.56. Notably, this substantial drop in form leaves them with a tough hurdle to reach the WTC final.
However, in the 2023-25 WTC cycle, they are scheduled to play eight matches. They are in need to win all these games to advance to the all-important clash. Notably, it will be a serious test for them as they are scheduled to face formidable opponents, including two home Test series against England, and West Indies and an away series against South Africa.
India and Australia, who have faced off in the 2023 WTC final, are currently the leading contenders to face off in the final next year. Both giants are at the top of the points chart, with Rohit Sharma and Co. leading with six wins off their nine matches with a winning percentage of 68.52. Meanwhile, Australia, the reigning champions, are close behind, with eight victories from 12 matches and a winning percentage of 62.50.
Interestingly, India and Australia are scheduled to play the Border Gavaskar Trophy later this year which will be crucial for both sides as they seek to book a spot in the final. Moreover, India is the only team to have reached the final of the first two World Test Championships but is yet to secure the title. In the inaugural WTC final in 2021, India suffered a defeat against New Zealand.
In another Test series, England outplayed Sri Lanka by five wickets in the opening encounter. With this win, they moved from seventh to fourth in the WTC standings while Sri Lanka dropped to fifth place.
