Pakistan Stuns World Champs, Leaps Past India in WTC Standings
In a seismic shift at the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) table, Pakistan has delivered a masterclass in Lahore, not only dethroning the world champions but also vaulting past their arch-rivals, India. The cricketing world is abuzz after Pakistan’s emphatic 93-run victory over South Africa in the first Test, a result that has dramatically reshaped the WTC 2025-27 landscape .
How Pakistan Ended South Africa’s Historic Streak
South Africa arrived in Pakistan on the back of a magnificent 10-match winning streak, a run of dominance that had cemented their status as the team to beat . However, the Gaddafi Stadium pitch had other ideas. Pakistan, led by a sensational performance from their spin maestro, turned the tables in spectacular fashion.
The architect of this historic win was left-arm spinner Noman Ali, whose match figures of 10 for 191 proved to be an insurmountable challenge for the Proteas batsmen . His ability to extract sharp turn and bounce on the weary final-day track was simply unplayable, earning him a well-deserved Man of the Match award for his third ten-wicket haul in Test cricket .
He wasn’t alone. The fiery pace of Shaheen Afridi provided the perfect foil, softening up the top order and creating the pressure that allowed Noman to weave his magic . This potent combination of pace and spin was too much for even a formidable South African side to handle, as they were bowled out for a paltry 183 in their second innings, chasing a target of 277 .
WTC Standings Shake-up: Pakistan Surges to Second
The ramifications of this victory extend far beyond a single Test win. In the points table for the 2025-27 WTC cycle, Pakistan has made a giant leap, climbing to the coveted second position . This is a massive statement of intent from a team that has often been inconsistent in recent years.
Perhaps the most significant consequence is for India. The Men in Blue, who had been sitting comfortably in second place, have now been pushed down to fourth spot in the standings . This single result has thrown the race for a WTC final berth wide open, with Australia still leading the pack but now with a resurgent Pakistan hot on their heels .
Updated WTC 2025-27 Points Table (Top 5)
| Rank | Team | Matches | Points | PCT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australia | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2 | Pakistan | 1 | 12 | 100% |
| 3 | … | … | … | … |
| 4 | India | 2 | 12 | 50% |
Note: The exact order of teams between 2nd and 4th is subject to the official ICC points percentage system, but Pakistan’s win has definitively placed them above India .
What This Means for the Future
This victory is more than just two points in the WTC; it’s a massive confidence booster for Pakistan cricket. Beating the world champions on home soil, with such authority, signals a potential return to their former glory. For South Africa, it’s a rare and humbling setback that will test their mettle in the second Test.
For fans of the sport, this result has injected thrilling unpredictability into the WTC race. With Pakistan now a serious contender and India needing to regroup, the battle for a place in the final promises to be one of the most exciting in recent memory.