After a dominant 2-0 series over Sri Lanka, South Africa have climbed to the top of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) points table, intensifying the battle for a place in the 2023-25 final.
As many as five teams, including India, Australia and South Africa, are still in contention, with Pakistan having little chance of progressing depending on favorable results.
Just like the current table toppers, the Proteas in the driver’s seat. To secure a place in the final, they need just one win from the remaining two Tests against Pakistan at home.
A 1-1 draw in this series could still see India and Australia through, depending on the results.
However, if South Africa lose 0-1 to Pakistan, it will count on Australia winning at most two of the remaining Tests and India securing just one victory in Australia.
India’s path to the final was derailed last month after their 0-3 defeat to New Zealand at home.
However, they bounced back with a victory in the Perth Test against Australia before the hosts leveled the series in Adelaide.
With a current points percentage (PCT) of 57.29, India can still secure a top-two finish by securing two wins and a draw in the remaining three Tests in Australia.
In the event of a 2-3 series defeat to Australia, India will hope for a 0-2 South Africa defeat against Pakistan and for Australia not to lose in Sri Lanka to remain in the hunt for the final.
Australia continues to be in a strong position, with a PCT of 55.26.
To secure their place in the top two, they need at least two wins in the remaining three Tests against India.
Even if they lost both Tests in Sri Lanka, their PCT would still remain safe from India and Sri Lanka.
However, if Australia loses 2-3 to India, they will need to beat Sri Lanka 2-0 or rely on the result of the South Africa v Pakistan series to keep their final hopes alive.
Sri Lanka’s qualification hopes are hanging by a thread.
They must beat Australia 2-0 to take their PCT to 53.85, which would also require Australia to lose 2-1 to India.
Furthermore, for Sri Lanka to overtake South Africa’s PCT, the Proteas would need to lose 2-0 to Pakistan.
Several teams, including England, New Zealand, West Indies and Bangladesh, are already out of the final race.
