For the third consecutive time, Pakistan are out of the World Test Championship (WTC) final race. In the current cycle, they have played 10 Tests so far and managed to win only four. Even Bangladesh dominated them at home leading to radical changes in the setup. The loss to England in first Test in Multan was the final nail in the coffin for them. While they recovered well to end their drought of Test wins at home and knock England out of WTC final race too with a 2-1 series win, the Shan Masood-led side cannot reach the final themselves if they win their remaining four Tests.
Pakistan's next Test in the red-ball format is against South Africa. Temba Bavuma is yet to lose a Test as captain. The Boxing-Day Test will be played at SuperSport Park, Centurion whereas the New Year's Test will be hosted by Newlands, Cape Town. If they script history and whitewash South Africa, they will open the doors for both India and Australia. It will also help them climb to the sixh spot above England who finished with a win percentage of 43.18.
After the South Africa tour, Pakistan will host West Indies for a two-Test series in January 2025 at Multan Cricket Stadium. If they create spin-friendly wickets like the England series and whitewash West Indies as well, their win percentage will go up to 52.38 which will help them finish at the fourth spot above New Zealand and Sri Lanka.
However, in order to finish fourth, they will depend on Australia. The Pat Cummins-led side will tour Sri Lanka for a two-Test series. If the reigning champions beat Sri Lanka by 2-0, 1-0 or the series ends in a draw, Sri Lanka will finish below Pakistan.
Where Pakistan finished in last two WTCs?
In the inaugural edition of WTC, Pakistan finished fifth with four wins from 12 Tests. In the previous edition, they finished seventh with four wins from 14 Tests.
Pakistan's home record against West Indies
West Indies have played a total of seven Test series on Pakistan soil. The last time they toured Pakistan for a Test series was in 2006/07 season. Pakistan won the series 2-0. The last time West Indies beat Pakistan in Pakistan was in 1980/81. Three Tests ended in a draw whereas West Indies won in Faisalabad under the leadership of Clive Lloyd. Also, the last time Pakistan lost a Test to West Indies at home was in 1990. Interestingly, that loss came in Faisalabad as well.
Pakistan's record on South Africa soil
Meanwhile, Pakistan have not won a Test on South Africa soil since 2007. Overall, they have just two Test wins in South Africa. On their last two tours, Pakistan were whitewashed in the three-Test series.
