ICC World Test Championship 2023-25: Updated points table after 1st test, SA vs PAK 2024

South Africa have now qualified for the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 final with their win over Pakistan.

The first test between South Africa and Pakistan, which was played at SuperSport Park, ended with the hosts winning by two wickets. South Africa put up a brilliant comeback after being reduced to 99/8 while chasing 148 runs on Day 4.

Earlier in the game, South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma won the toss and chose to field first. The South African pace trio of Marco Jansen, Dane Paterson and Corbin Bosch starred for the hosts, restricting Pakistan to 211. Youngster Kamran Ghulam top-scored for Pakistan with 54, while all-rounder Aamer Jamal chipped in with 28 valuable runs.

In response, South Africa absorbed the pressure to post 301 runs in their first innings. Aiden Markram led the charge for the Proteas with a solid 89, while Temba Bavuma and David Bedingham contributed valuable knocks of 31 and 30 respectively.

Pakistan showcased better application in their second innings, posting 237 runs. Saud Shakeel (84) and Babar Azam (50) propelled the visitors to a competitive total with their crucial 79-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

Chasing a target of 148, South Africa stumbled early, finding themselves 19/3. Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma steadied the innings with a crucial 43-run partnership for the fourth wicket. However, the game swung dramatically with the Proteas losing four wickets for just three runs, collapsing to 99/8.

All-rounder Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada then stitched 51-run partnership to see South Africa through the target. Mohammed Abbas starred for Pakistan with a six-wicket haul.

ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 Points Table:

Thanks to this amazing win, South Africa have now qualified for the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 final, which will be played at the Lord’s. They are slotted at No. 1 with seven wins and three losses in 11 tests, resulting in 88 points to their name and PCT of 66.67.

Pakistan have now slipped to the eighth spot with four wins in 11 tests, resulting in 40 points and PCT of 30.30. They also have a deduction of eight points.

South Africa are followed by Australia, who are at the second spot with PCT of 58.89 from 15 tests, in which they have won nine and lost four. At No.3 are India with PCT of 55.88 with nine wins and six losses in 17 tests.

New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and England occupy the fourth, fifth, and sixth positions with PCT of 48.21, 45.45, and 43.18 respectively, and are already out of contention for the final.

South Africa will now face either Australia or India in the final, depending on the outcomes of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 and Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka 2025.

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