On October 11, 2024, England clinched a commanding victory against Pakistan in the Multan Test match, securing an innings and 47-run win. This result not only affected the series but also had a major impact on the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) standings. The win moved England up in the rankings, giving them a significant boost, while Pakistan suffered a considerable blow to their standing. With this victory, England now holds the fourth position, leaving Pakistan at the bottom of the table with a poor points percentage.
Crucial Win for England
The Multan Test match was a crucial encounter for both teams. England, coming off a few underwhelming performances, needed this win to keep their World Test Championship hopes alive. They played with determination and showcased a well-rounded performance in all departments. Harry Brook and Joe Root were the standout performers, with Brook registering a sensational triple-century and Root adding a double-century, providing England with a strong foundation. The English bowlers then took centre stage, wrapping up Pakistan’s innings efficiently to ensure a comprehensive win.
Impact on the World Test Championship Standings
The ICC World Test Championship points table determines the teams that will eventually qualify for the final match to compete for the prestigious title. With every match, the dynamics of the table change significantly, especially when two major Test-playing nations like England and Pakistan are involved. This victory increased England’s points percentage to 45.59%, moving them to the fourth spot. Pakistan, on the other hand, saw their percentage drop further to 18.52%, placing them in a challenging position to recover in the remaining matches of the Championship.
The Current WTC Points: Multan Test
| Position | Team | Matches | Wins | Losses | Draws | Points | PCT (%) |
|---|
| 1 | India | 12 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 96 | 66.67 |
| 2 | Australia | 10 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 84 | 60.00 |
| 3 | South Africa | 10 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 68 | 54.00 |
| 4 | England | 12 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 72 | 45.59 |
| 5 | Sri Lanka | 10 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 48 | 40.00 |
| 6 | New Zealand | 10 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 48 | 36.00 |
| 7 | West Indies | 12 | 3 | 8 | 1 | 36 | 30.00 |
| 8 | Bangladesh | 10 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 28 | 26.67 |
| 9 | Pakistan | 8 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 16 | 18.52 |
Detailed Look at the Teams’ Positions
- India maintains the top position with a strong points percentage of 66.67%. Their consistency in both home and away series has kept them ahead, making them the favorites to qualify for the final.
- Australia is closely following India, with a percentage of 60.00%. The Aussies have been solid, especially in their home games, and are in a good position to secure a spot in the final.
- South Africa is in third place, and although they have shown some vulnerability in away tours, they are still very much in contention.
- England’s rise to fourth place has been a result of strategic gameplay and a few crucial wins. Their journey has not been smooth, but they have managed to keep their hopes alive.
- Sri Lanka and New Zealand are in the middle of the pack. Both teams have been inconsistent, with Sri Lanka performing better than expected, but they need more wins to move up.
- West Indies and Bangladesh have struggled throughout this Championship, and their points percentages reflect their poor form. The West Indies, in particular, have been disappointing.
- Pakistan finds themselves in a difficult situation after the Multan defeat. With only 18.52% points, their chances of making a comeback are slim,
What This Means for England and Pakistan
For England, this win has come at a perfect time. They have managed to pull ahead of Sri Lanka and New Zealand, but the road ahead is still tough. With matches against top teams like India and Australia lined up, England will need to maintain their form to secure a spot in the top two.
Pakistan, however, has a lot to worry about. Their campaign has been marred by poor performances and an inability to close out matches. The defeat in Multan further exposed their weaknesses in batting and bowling, making it difficult for them to bounce back. They are now at risk of ending the Championship at the bottom of the table unless they can drastically improve in their remaining matches.
Key Players’ Contributions
The Multan Test match saw some standout performances that turned the game in England’s favour,
- Harry Brook: The young batsman was phenomenal, scoring a stunning triple-century. His aggressive yet calculated approach left the Pakistani bowlers helpless.
- Joe Root: Root’s experience came into play as he anchored the innings with a well-crafted double-century. His ability to rotate the strike and put pressure on the bowlers was commendable.
- Mark Wood and James Anderson: The two bowlers were relentless in their line and length, ensuring that Pakistan’s batsmen never settled. Their combined efforts helped wrap up Pakistan’s innings quickly,
Challenges for Pakistan Moving Forward
Pakistan’s struggles have been evident throughout the Championship. Their batting has been inconsistent, with key players failing to perform under pressure. Additionally, their bowling, once a strong point, has not been able to penetrate opposition lineups effectively. The team management will need to address these issues quickly if they hope to salvage anything from this Championship.
Another challenge has been Pakistan’s inability to maintain the required over-rate, leading to penalty points that have further affected their standings. The slow over-rate penalties have pushed them below teams like West Indies, compounding their problems.
England Path Ahead
England’s win in Multan is a confidence booster, but the real challenge lies ahead. With a strong Indian side and a resilient Australian team still to face, England cannot afford to relax. Every match from this point is crucial, and they will need their senior players like Joe Root and James Anderson to lead the way,
The Multan Test will be remembered not just for England’s dominance, but also for the impact it had on the World Test Championship standings. It’s now up to Pakistan to regroup and find a way back into contention, while England will aim to build on this success and push for a spot in the final,
