Pakistan suffered a massive eight-wicket defeat against South Africa at home and failed to clinch the series victory during the second of the two-match Test series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. With the loss, they slipped to the fifth position in the latest updated points table for the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27.

It's the first win for the Proteas in Pakistan after 18 years in a red-ball fixture. The tourists were behind in the contest, where they found themselves eight down for 235 runs in the first innings. But it was a crazy batting display from the lower order of the side, especially Kagiso Rabada. 

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Senuran Muthusamy remained unbeaten on 89 runs in 155 balls with the help of eight boundaries at a strike rate of 57.42, while Keshav Maharaj smashed 30 runs at number 10. At number 11, the left-handed batter of the Proteas, Kagiso Rabada, clubbed 71 runs in 61 balls, hitting four boundaries and four sixes.

Check latest updated WTC 2025-27 points table after PAK vs SA 2025 Test series

In the third innings of the game, apart from Babar Azam’s 50 and a little contribution of 28 runs from Salman Agha, no one was able to put a score on the board as the home side got bundled out for 138 runs. Simon Harmer picked up 6/50 in 20 overs.

World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 standings

In reply, the visitors completed the chase of 73 runs by eight wickets in just 75 deliveries to square the series by a 1-1 margin. South Africa will now shift their focus to the white-ball leg of the trip before flying to India for the Test series in the middle of November.

India enjoyed a decent seven-week period during the five-match Test series against England in the United Kingdom. They lost the opening clash at Leeds in Headingley before earning victory in the following game at Edgbaston in Birmingham. The Blue Brigade got defeated in the third fixture at Lord’s before drawing the Manchester Test. Their memorable Oval victory drew the series 2-2.

After the end of the Asia Cup 2025, the Shubman Gill-led side earned victory against the West Indies by an innings and 140 runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The game got over inside three days after their bowlers went through the batting line-up of the opposition side.

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The second game of the series will be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. The home side, thanks to the twin centuries from Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal, posted 518 runs in 134.2 overs before declaring. Sai Sudharsan, the number three player, cracked 87 runs in 165 balls at a strike rate of 52.73 with the help of 12 boundaries.

India stay at No. 3 in updated WTC 2025-27 points table with 2-0 series victory vs West Indies

West Indies got bundled out for 248 runs in the first innings, with several players getting starts and failing to turn them into good scores. Kuldeep Yadav earned his fifth five-wicket haul before they enforced the follow-on. The Caribbean side showed better application with the bat, relying on the twin centuries from Shai Hope and John Campbell.

India completed the 124-run chase by seven wickets as KL Rahul remained unbeaten on 58 runs. They stay in the third rank of the points table with four wins and two defeats in seven clashes. Australia and Sri Lanka stay ahead of the two-time WTC runners-up.

Updated WTC 2025-27 points table after IND vs WI 2025 Test series- 

To pull more crowds during the India vs South Africa (IND vs SA) Test match at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata, the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) has reportedly taken a significant decision.

According to reports by local media, CAB has decided to keep the ticket price low so that more people can come to the ground and enjoy the match. It is reported that for the India vs South Africa Test match, the lowest ticket price can be Rs. 60 per head, which will be significantly low for a high-octane cricket match. The two-match Test series between India and South Africa will be important for the ongoing cycle of the World Test Championship (WTC). During an apex committee meeting, CAB officials decided to sanction everyday basis tickets with a low price for the match. If someone wishes to watch only one day of the 5-day match, then Rs 60 can be the cheapest ticket option for a visitor, as per reports.

There will be season tickets as well, which will be valid for all 5 days of the Test. These tickets will cost more: Rs 300, Rs 750, Rs 1000, and Rs 1250 tickets are expected to be available for the match at the Eden Gardens. 

Read More: WATCH: Pakistan fans cheering their captain's wicket during PAK vs SA 1st Test

South Africa tour of India 2025 full fixtures:

Tests:

1st Test: Nov 14–18, Kolkata, 9:30 am IST

2nd Test: Nov 22–26, Guwahati, 9:30 am IST

ODIs:

1st ODI: Nov 30, Ranchi, 1:30 pm IST

2nd ODI: Dec 3, Raipur, 1:30 pm IST

3rd ODI: Dec 6, Visakhapatnam, 1:30 pm IST

T20s (Dec 9–19)

1st T20: Cuttack, Dec 9, 7:00 pm IST

2nd T20: New Chandigarh, Dec 11, 7:00 pm IST

3rd T20: Dharamsala, Dec 14, 7:00 pm IST

4th T20: Lucknow, Dec 17, 7:00 pm IST

5th T20: Ahmedabad, Dec 19, 7:00 pm IST

Following a disappointing turnout during Pakistan’s 2-1 home Test series defeat to England last season, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has taken decisive action to boost interest for the upcoming series against South Africa. The board aims to ensure better crowd engagement and support as the national side prepares for a challenging two-Test encounter.

The first Test is scheduled to begin on Sunday, October 12, in Lahore, while the second and final match will be held in Rawalpindi starting October 20. Both fixtures are significant, forming part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27, which adds additional stakes and pressure for the players and the management.

PCB officials have expressed hope that strategic promotions and outreach efforts will attract larger crowds this time, creating a vibrant atmosphere at the stadiums. The team will look to capitalize on home advantage and start the championship campaign on a strong note.

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PCB’s Decisive Action Ahead of South Africa Test Series:

During Pakistan’s Test series against England last year, the opening match saw only around a thousand spectators, coinciding with a defeat for the home side. In response, the PCB lowered ticket prices for the following games in Rawalpindi and Multan, but the move failed to significantly boost attendance. Empty stands remained a recurring issue throughout the series, highlighting challenges in engaging local fans.

Ahead of the upcoming two-Test series against South Africa, the PCB has taken stronger measures to fill stadiums, distributing free and low-cost tickets to attract larger crowds. The initiative aims to create a lively atmosphere for the players and fans alike, addressing past attendance concerns while providing a boost to Pakistan’s home advantage in the ICC World Test Championship fixtures.

Pakistan vs South Africa: Test Match Ticket Rates:

First Test at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, October 12-16

• Tickets for the Pakistan vs South Africa Tests are free for different categories: General (Hanif Mohammad, Imtiaz Ahmed, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Saeed Ahmed), First-Class (A.H. Kardar, Abdul Qadir, Sarfraz Nawaz, Javed Miandad), Premium (Rajas, Saeed Anwar), and VIP (Imran Khan, Fazal Mahmood), ensuring fans across all sections can attend without cost.

• Tickets for VIP sections at the Pakistan vs South Africa Tests are priced as follows: Iqbal End (Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram) seats cost PKR 800 (~₹350), while Jinnah End (Majid Khan, Zaheer Abbas) seats range from PKR 800-1,000 (~₹350-₹440), offering premium viewing options for fans.

• Platinum Box tickets for the Pakistan vs South Africa Tests are priced at PKR 8,000 (~₹3,520) for the first four days, increasing to PKR 10,000 (~₹4,400) on the fifth day.

Second Test at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, October 20-24

• Tickets for the second Test at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium are free across multiple categories: General (Miran Bakhsh, Sohail Tanvir), First-Class (Shoaib Akhtar, Yasir Arafat), Premium (Azhar Mahmood, Javed Miandad), and VIP (Imran Khan, Javed Akhtar), allowing fans from all sections to attend without any charge.

• PCB Gallery tickets for the Rawalpindi Test are priced at PKR 800 (~₹350) for the first four days, rising to PKR 1,000 (~₹440) on the fifth day for premium seating.

• Platinum Box tickets for the Rawalpindi Test cost PKR 8,000 (~₹3,520) for the first four days, increasing to PKR 10,000 (~₹4,400) on the fifth day for exclusive seating.

Following the Test series, Pakistan will take on South Africa in a limited-overs clash, featuring three T20 internationals and three One-Day Internationals. The matches provide an opportunity for both teams to test their white-ball strategies ahead of upcoming global tournaments.

India’s victory at the Kennington Oval over England on the fifth day of the final Test of the five-match series has helped them not only draw the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025, but it has also pushed them in the points table of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle. It was their second win of the trip after the huge 336-run win at Edgbaston. 

Even though it would still be the early days in the competition, the Blue Brigade managed to use their feet and move into third place in the standings with the victory in the final fixture, earning 12 crucial points. They now have 28 WTC points on the board and a points percentage of 46.67%.

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Despite having the same number of wins and draws as the Shubman Gill-led side, Ben Stokes’ army has found itself in the fourth position with 26 points and a points percentage of 43.33. It was severely impacted by the two-point deduction for the slow over rate during the third Test of the series at Lord’s, which they went on to win dramatically.

India climb up to third place in WTC 2025-27 points table

Australia, under the captaincy of Pat Cummins, has found itself at the top position with a three-wicket whitewash series victory over the West Indies in the Caribbean. West Indies and Bangladesh remain the only two sides to feature in the series and not earn a victory yet in the longest format of the cycle.

Pakistan, South Africa, and New Zealand are the three sides that have not played a single game of the WTC. Both Proteas and Blackcaps faced Zimbabwe away from home, but those were not part of the WTC cycle.

India and England locked horns in yet another closely-contested test match at Old Trafford. The Test did not see a winner as it ended in a draw. But for the Indian fans, the draw can be seen more as a victory. It all started with Joe Root and Ben Stokes dominating the fragile Indian pace-bowling attack and amassing a galloping 669 runs.

At 0-2, England had India by the scruff of the neck. An imminent victory awaited the home side during the early hours of day four. But what followed was an act of defiance from Team India and their sheer determination to grind hard. As a result, India were able to drag the game till the final hour of day five with six wickets in the bank, before the England captain, frustratingly, settled for a draw.

India will draw inspiration from this encounter as they head to Kia Oval for the final Test with the series tilted at 2-1 in favor of the hosts. As the dust settles on this gripping Test, it is time to look at the revised World Test Championship 2025-27 points table.

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Updated WTC 2025-27 Rankings after Old Trafford Test

WTC 2025-27 Points Table 🏏📊 pic.twitter.com/tVCYVS1dN7

— CricketGully (@thecricketgully) July 28, 2025

After the end of the fourth Test, neither of the two teams have made any significant gains in the rankings. The hard-fought draw has certainly dented England’s ranking as they slip to the third position with a PCT of 54.17. India, on the other hand, have done well to hold on to the fourth spot for the time being but would want to see an improvement in their rankings following the end of the fifth Test. The 2021-2023 WTC finalists have a PCT of 33.33.

Australia are currently sitting at the points table following their annihilating 3-0 series sweep against a bruised West Indies. The 2023 WTC Champions have a PCT of 100 and are the only team, apart from Sri Lanka, to enjoy an unbeaten streak in this cycle. Second to them is the island nation of Sri Lanka, who have recently fared well during their home Test series against Bangladesh, beating them by 1-0.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh and the West Indies have played a few games already in this cycle and are yet to register a win. Besides, New Zealand, Pakistan, and the eventual 2023-2025 WTC Champions, South Africa, are yet to open their account in this ongoing WTC 2025-27 cycle.

After losing the third Test at the Lord’s fans expected a fight back from the Indian team and the same was evident on Day 5 of the fourth Test. After being asked to trail by 311 runs by England, Indian batters showed resilience to turn a losing game into a draw. Though they could not win the game, this has not dented their position in the World Test Championship 2025 table either. 

Rather they have inched towards a better side with over 33 percent of qualifying possibility. They have played four games so far and have won just one game with an equal number of losses and draw. They find themselves in fourth position and have a long way to go to see themselves in the top two spots. Australia have become a force to reckon with a 100 percent track record in the WTC cycle. 

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On the other hand, England are in third position with two wins in four games. The next game will be crucial for the Indian team to level up with England with a win or rather edge past them. Having said this, the home series becomes crucial if they manage a loss in the upcoming game to make it for dent. For the unversed, England who were in the second position before the fourth Test, have slipped to third and Australia maintain a stronghold in the first spot witth Sri Lanka trailing them in the second position. 

WTC Standings after fourth Test between Indian and England: 

The 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship had its second draw, as India and England concluded a stalemate in the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Manchester, on Sunday, July 27. On Day 4, India was in the driver’s seat as the match was at a stalemate, but their performance with the bat on Day 4 wouldn’t let that happen as KL Rahul and Shubman Gill created a gritty resistance. This laid a wonderful foundation for an extraordinary day of play on Day 5, where India, down a great deal in the match, batted the day out and secured an unlikely draw. 

India would lose a mere two wickets on the final day, as Shubman Gill, Washington Sundar, and Ravindra Jadeja all stood unbeaten with centuries, and secured the match draw. Although England hoped to wrap up the Test in the final session and rest their exhausted bowlers, India refused to declare, allowing their all-rounders to complete their tons. The Test ended on a slightly tense note, with India closing their second innings at 425/4, capping off an unexpected escape from a likely defeat.

See Also: ENG vs IND 4th Test Day 5: Highlights and Scoreboard

Before the fourth Test, India sat fourth in the WTC table with one win and two losses, holding a 33.33% win percentage. England, leading the series 2-1, were third with 61.11% despite losing points earlier due to a slow over rate at Lord's. The draw earned both teams four points each, keeping India at fourth with 16 points and an unchanged win percentage. England now have 26 points, but their win percentage has dropped slightly to 54.17, due to their second draw since 2022.

Updated WTC points table after #ENGvsIND 4th test pic.twitter.com/oAUEpuGq41

— Anu 👰 (@Was_Ananya29_) July 27, 2025

India and England head to the Oval for the ENG vs IND 2025 5th Test

Team India’s remarkable resistance on Days 4 and 5 ensured the series remains alive, giving them a chance to level the five-match series 2-2. With momentum on their side, the Men in Blue will look to push for a victory in the fifth and final Test at The Oval, which begins on Thursday, July 31. The draw at Old Trafford has injected new life into the contest, setting up a thrilling finale as India aim to cap off their comeback with a series-leveling performance in the English capital.

However, India’s hopes are tempered by a growing injury and fitness crisis within the squad. Jasprit Bumrah has already completed his scheduled three-Test workload and appeared fatigued during the fourth match. Meanwhile, Mohammed Siraj and Rishabh Pant struggled with injuries and discomfort throughout the game, casting doubt over their availability for the decider. These setbacks pose significant challenges for the team as they prepare to field a competitive side for the high-stakes clash at The Oval.